Reflections on the law

As a symbol, the goddess of justice is often depicted as a blindfolded woman. This conveys the principle that justice should be applied without discrimination.

This symbolism comes to mind upon consideration of two cases which are attracting the public's attention at present. The first is the reversal of the Supreme Court's verdict in the Kedung Ombo case. The second concerns the three-year prison sentence handed down by a court of justice in Medan for Dr. Muchtar Pakpahan, the general chairman of the board of the Indonesian Prosperous Labor Union.

People could hardly believe it when some time ago the Supreme Court ruled in favor of an appeal filed by the people of Kedung Ombo. The governor, representing the Central Java provincial administration, lost the case and was ordered to compensate the Kedung Ombo area inhabitants by paying them an amount of money higher than was requested, plus funds for immaterial losses amounting to Rp 2 billion.

The fact is that in countries such as ours the position of the government is stronger than that of the public, and particularly that of individuals. From the development perspective, this is essential, if not a precondition, in order that the people may be moved towards the desired objective of progress, in particular, economic progress.

Such is the case in its larger context. This larger context, however, is undergoing a process of growth, and with growth, of change. This is due to the public's growing awareness as a result of education, economic progress, increased mobility, international exchanges, a better flow of information and greater transparency brought by globalization.

We must make sure we are all able to grasp and understand the signs of the times.

-- Kompas, Jakarta