May Jakarta be safe again!

From Neraca

Last weekend Jakarta was frightening. The seizure of the Indonesian Democratic Party's headquarters on Jl. Diponegoro left the main roads in the Matraman and Proklamasi areas looking like a war had taken place.

I routinely have to use Jl. Diponegoro, where traffic was rerouted due to the party's free speech forums.

The clash between security officers and community members was sad. It was as if this beloved country no longer had any laws. All sides seem to want to solve problems their own way, resorting to violence at times.

I was confused and frightened when I was in the vicinity of the Megaria theater on Saturday. People were running with fear on their faces. Stones were flying. Why do some people get violent so easily, I wondered.

I am worried about the condition of the Indonesian Democratic Party. Where is the principle of musyawarah (consensus) championed by all sides. It is certainly not my intention to blame any side for the violence, I only hope that it will soon end.

It would be regrettable if the progress we've made so far fell apart as a result of such tragic happenings.

INA

Jakarta