Protesters on drugs, crime warn authorities to do more

JAKARTA (JP): About 100 members of two organizations demanded on Monday that the administration and police get tough on drugs and crime or the city could be hit by a wave of vigilante justice.

The People's Movement against Drugs (Geram) and Muslim Students Action Union (KAMMI) said at the City Council that they were ready to help in the effort if the police were reluctant to cooperate with the government.

"We have volunteered to help subdistrict chiefs to conduct raids on drugs users and dealers in their areas," Geram's leader Sofyan Ali said during the protest.

He also warned that the movement's members and the public would take the law into their own hands if the government did not adopt concrete measures.

Some 15 representatives of the movement were received by City Council Speaker Edy Waluyo and his deputies Djafar Badjeber and M. Suwardi.

Edy expressed full support for the protesters' concerns and said he would soon discuss the matter with other councilors. He also praised Geram for its initiative in fighting drugs.

He said he would urge the city administration, the city police and the Jakarta Prosecutor's Office to take tougher measures against drug dealing.

Edy, representing the military faction, Djafar from the United Development Party (PPP) and Suwardi of the National Mandate Party (PAN) showed their support by signing Geram's statement.

Protesters entertained onlookers with a performance of the pencak silat traditional martial art in front of the council's gate.

They marched to the nearby traffic circle at Hotel Indonesia, a favorite site for protesters to vent their demands, before dispersing peacefully.

KAMMI members, meanwhile, joined the chorus of protests on social problem by stating that they were committed to fighting crime.

City residents alarmed by soaring drug use, particularly among adolescents, and fed up with perceived reluctance of the authorities to clamp down are increasingly conducting their own antidrug drive.

Fliers have been posted on walls and electricity poles in Kampung Bali subdistrict, Central Jakarta, warning that anyone caught using or trafficking drugs will be "severely punished" by local residents.

Subdistrict chief Siswanto said he was opposed to vigilantism.

"I will not let it happen. Suspects must be handed over the police," Siswanto said. No one has claimed responsibility for circulating the fliers.

Central Jakarta Mayor Andi S. Abdullah said he disagreed "anarchic actions" and would not allow residents to take the law into their own hands.

"We should let the authorities punish those proven guilty," he added. (04/jun)