Reflections on the law

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