Put them in their place

We are confronted all the time by stories about the lording of power by the military and police, from the Army ringleader of a band of thieves in Bandung, the soldier who fatally shot another man after he cut him off in his car, to the petty bribery so glaringly obvious on the streets, regardless of what the National Police chief may say about it being certain oknum, the odd bad apple.

While I know from experience that all military personnel and police officers are not bad, I also know that it is the public's role to define its rights and stand up for them. It is not about burning military vehicles, or giving back a little of the rough treatment when a soldier or police officer is outnumbered, but standing up and being counted for our rights.

Yes, the sight of a policeman here is more likely to engender a feeling of fear than security, which is what I felt last Friday night when I was stopped in Puncak on my way to Bandung. The policeman was not content to take my passport from me as I sat in the back seat, but also told the driver to open up the boot so he could inspect my bag.

Enough was enough.

"If you're going to look through my stuff, you should inform me and have me stand next to you in case something is missing later because you're responsible," I told him. He stopped, but then started telling me that I needed "travel papers" to leave Jakarta.

Strike two.

No, I informed him, a KITAS yearlong permit is sufficient to travel within West Java; travel papers, while indeed needed by members of the military and police, are not necessary for foreigners with valid visas.

That was that. He asked me how long I had been in Indonesia, complimented me on my Indonesian and I was waved on my way.

While I know that I am privileged simply by the color of my skin in this society, I also hope that others can get by with my example by knowing their rights -- and speaking up for them. In some cases, it works.

BRUCE E.

Jakarta