Let police do the job

It might have been pure coincidence, but ahead of the first anniversary of our President's term, the police finally started to arrest civilians walking about with firearms and other weapons. Now that would be baffling to some -- of course anyone would be arrested when gallivanting about town carrying sharp weapons or guns without a license? So what?

But in Indonesia this has infamously not been the case, not only in the previously violent, lawless conflict areas but also in relatively peaceful areas like Jakarta.

So when reports came in this week of police arresting members of the Islam Defenders Front (FPI) for carrying weapons in Jakarta, this was news indeed. In Surakarta, a police officer was fired for failing to act against locals taking the law into their own hands and smashing bottles of liquor, on the grounds that those selling it did not respect the spirit of Ramadhan.

The reports brought good news because it was a clear message that the police were trying to do their job -- maintaining law and order -- a job that the public should be able to take for granted.

Such a message brings on a sense of security, a basic human right which gives the city dweller the feeling that he need not look over his shoulder or worry about his car every time he happens to be in the way of a group of men deciding to become judge and jury, who then act like brawling students or hoodlums and let bottles and stones fly, regardless of any noble intention they might have.

The police need to know that they have the public's support, though maybe not expressed often enough, for them to take on their role fully as the security keepers in line with their formal separation from the military.

This means they need to show and reassert the firm message that the job of maintaining law and order is theirs, the job mandated by the state, not just any macho-looking group in military-style fatigues or self appointed moral police.

It was dismaying in the earlier months to see that police virtually turned a blind eye to gangs behaving violently, either those involved in the forced closure of entertainment sites or of "illegal" houses of worship.

The police were similarly powerless in the past during campaigns of political parties, when every contesting party had their private security forces, inevitably leading to violence when emotions got heated among rival supporters. Now in the post New Order era, people have every right to demand more of their law enforcers.

Some have argued that violence is a last resort, an expression of despair of powerless groups when they've tried for years to have the police act on what is seen as disruptive, offensive or decadent behavior. Take, for instance groups of women representing communities, who set fire to centers of prostitution, which they see as a business destructive to the family, but seemingly well protected.

But violence has never solved problems; the faithful will sooner or later find a way to congregate again, be they Christians or the Ahmadiyah group, those in need of work will always seek jobs in those entertainment sites, and there will always be men who seek the services of sex workers.

We've heard the excuse that it will take a long time to have a professional police force. But the National Police Headquarters could learn from Central Java's provincial police chief Insp. Gen. Chaerul Rasjid, following the raid on restaurants.

"Stunned by the vandalism during the holy month, Gen. Chaerul reportedly briefed all local police chiefs in the province on Wednesday and told them that the incident in Surakarta had to be the last," this paper reported on Thursday. "If a police officer fails to follow orders, I'm telling you that he or she has to be replaced," he said.

Citizens should no longer have to put up with things like civilian groups with apparent impunity to do whatever they see fit, just because they may have the support or backing of a individuals or privileged groups.

They should be able to expect that in daily life one can go about one's business safely. An entirely valid request, especially from a populace that is increasingly encouraged to pay taxes as their civic obligation.