Officials shift blame for blunders in war on drugs

JAKARTA (JP): City officials blamed each other on Tuesday over the lack of coordination in the city's war against drugs.

An aura of incongruity was observed in a meeting discussing an antidrug campaign at City Hall.

"I can't understand why drug dealers and users receive minimum sentences, not maximum ones," Governor Sutiyoso, who hosted the meeting, said.

The governor regretted that no representatives from the Jakarta Public Prosecutors' Office, the city's five district courts and the Jakarta High Court were present at the discussion.

"I'm very disappointed because we want to know the reasons for imposing minimum sentences on narcotic cases," he said.

Chief of city police narcotic detectives Lt. Col. Abdullah said the police's duty was only to prepare dossiers for the respective prosecutors' office.

"It's up to the prosecutors' office to decide whether to continue with the prosecution and it's up to the judges at the respective district court to issue the verdict," he said.

Abdullah said in November alone the city police received reports of 44 cases of drug abuse and trafficking from residents.

"And we have taken the necessary actions to follow up the reports."

Head of the Soekarno-Hatta International Airport customs office Tonny Soenanto said most of the drugs distributed in Indonesia were locally made.

Participants at the meeting used the opportunity to express their personal opinions on how to eliminate drug abuse and trafficking in the city.

Coordinator of the Society's Antidrug Movement (GERAM) Sofyan Ali said the war against drugs should also be aimed at celebrities.

"Celebrities are also drug users. Sometimes they take drugs for fun or for experimental purposes," Sofyan, who is also a concert promoter, said.

"We'll propose to all music producers here not to use drug- addicted singers on their albums as shock therapy."

Sofyan's opinion was shared by veteran dangdut singer Rhoma Irama.

"We have to impose 'social' sanctions on such singers," he said.

He urged television stations not to include drug-addicted artists on their programs.

"All artists appearing on our TV screens must be free from drugs," he said.

Rhoma supported the city residents' active involvement in fighting drugs, including the storming and burning of places suspected as drug-dealing spots.

Meanwhile, Sutiyoso said the city administration would soon conduct urine tests on its officials following reports they were involved in drug abuse.

"We'll conduct the tests randomly because they are expensive and there are many city officials," he said.

Similar measures have been taken by the city police and the city military command.

Night life

Later on Tuesday afternoon, Sutiyoso warned owners of nightspots to comply with the operational schedule guidelines issued by the city administration.

"I've taken a risk allowing nightspots to operate during the Muslim fasting month of Ramadhan. Several groups of residents have demanded that they cease their operations during fasting month," he said.

He admitted that his decision would not satisfy all residents.

"Therefore the owners must follow the city administration's instructions to reduce their opening hours during Ramadhan," he said.

Chairman of the Jakarta branch of the Association of Nightspot Owners (Asphindo) Affendi Tasra said he supported the city administration's decision to revoke the permit of any nightspot if they were involved in drug distribution. (05)