Principles of fairness
Principles of fairness
From Pikiran Rakyat
It is all right for the central government and Aceh regional administration, as announced by head of the public relations division of Aceh regional administration, T. Pribadi (Kompas, April 24, 1999), to adopt a policy of granting civil servant positions to the victims of the imposition of the status of military operation area (DOM) for Aceh some time ago, because they have the right to do so. However, as an Indonesian citizen, I feel concerned with such a policy because it does not teach the community at large the significance of justice.
What is of greater concern to me is the fact that many experts, or people claiming to speak on behalf of experts, always link violations and leniency in policies while it is obvious that such leniency is against prevailing provisions. If nothing is done to keep this tendency in check, practices of corruption, collusion and nepotism, which we have been resolved to do away with, will only find fertile ground.
The release of political convicts and political detainees has been linked to Soeharto's resignation. It means that if these political detainees can be proven guilty they must be tried. Logically, also, if Soeharto is considered guilty, he must be tried. In the case of political detainees, they first must be taken to court and should not be simply released. This is an example of an erroneous policy.
To get back to the victims of the imposition of DOM, violators of human rights must certainly be tried. It is really wrong to award these victims civil servant positions without requiring them to go through normal procedures. Clearly, this is a glaring example of unfairness and injustice. I believe other Indonesian citizens will agree with me in this respect. One more thing, it must be remembered that not all these victims are qualified for the positions they will be granted.
The government, therefore, must review this policy. However, if a decree is issued on the appointment of these victims of the imposition of DOM, I hope West Java regional office of the manpower ministry (I have chosen West Java because it is in this province that I live) rejects, if necessary, the placement, based on this policy, of unqualified new recruits from Aceh.
I make this suggestion not because I am not concerned with the plight of the victims of the imposition DOM. I am not an unfeeling person, but I cannot agree to the government's policy in this respect because it does not teach the public the significance of fairness and justice.
KARTA WIJAYA
Indramayu, West Java