Pseudo military personnel

Pseudo military personnel

From Pikiran Rakyat

On July 28, my sister and I had an unpleasant encounter with a
person claiming to come from a certain military command post
(Koramil) in Bandung.

He requested Rp 50,000 as a donation for constructing a
freedom fighters' monument. Initially he was very polite and
often referred to our late father.

When we refused, explaining that as far as we know the
military never goes around pressing the public for donations for
their activities, he became angry. With his hand raised and
pointing to my sister he shouted: "You would have never enjoyed
this kind of life without the sacrifices made by our freedom
fighters!"

As he began to leave, we repeatedly asked for his name and
rank, and he said: "Bambang" and added: "You are lucky that you
are ladies, otherwise ..."

When he saw my sister looking at his motorcycle's registration
number, he shouted: "Write it down!" and kept on calling us
names. This was witnessed by some of our neighbors.

We got the military command post's telephone number (7800410)
and a Mr. Herman there told us that was no such donation program,
and advised us not to entertain such requests from so-called
military personnel.

We certainly have a lot of appreciation and respect for our
freedom fighters (who have enabled us to enjoy today's freedom)
as well as their families whom they left behind. However, we can
show our appreciation by doing good and useful deeds for society.

I really hope this will be the last of such an experience.

MUHAMMAD ZAKY

Bandung