Post opens for complaints about police

YOGYAKARTA: Yogyakarta's Legal Aid Institute (LBH) opened on Wednesday a post to accommodate complaints from local motorcyclists over alleged mistreatment by police following the introduction of the "standard helmet".

The LBH is concerned about the overly strict interpretation of the forthcoming regulation on the use of helmets by the city police.

Though the regulation will take effect in June, the police have started to inform city motorcyclists about it.

The police said the promotion of the standard helmet is aimed to ensure the safety of motorists and to reduce the number of victims in traffic accidents.

"Anyone who feels they have received improper treatment from the police can just come to the post and tell us about it," head of LBH's Operational Division Teguh Purnomo said.

He said the post was set up to serve as a bridge between motorcyclists and the local police to settle any disputes over the use of helmets.

"We have received some reports that many policemen are overzealous in their punishment of motorcyclists not wearing what they consider to be a standard helmet," Teguh said

According to him, an LBH activist had witnessed a policeman stamping on a helmet considered to be non-standard one, which was previously worn by a motorcyclist he stopped on the street. --JP