Seize wives of corruptors

Various newspapers have reported that the police arrested Munfiatun alias Fitri, the second wife of Noordin M. Top, a suspect being hunted down for his alleged involvement in bombing cases in Indonesia.

Noordin M. Top first met Munfiatun around the beginning of June 2004 and married her on June 22, 2004. Thereafter, they only communicated by e-mail and telephone. Physically, they were in contact for a very short time (early June to June 22).

However, Munfiatun was taken into police custody at the National Police Headquarters on charges of involvement in the bombing Hotel JW Marriott, while the incident took place on Aug. 5, 2003.

With the serious police action against the wife of a terrorist suspect, it should be questioned why the police have not detained wives of corruptors and delinquent conglomerate bosses who have fled abroad. In fact, they enjoy the gains from their husbands' practices while terrorists' wives do not.

As the wives of terrorists have been held for allegedly providing assistance and protection in terrorist acts, why aren't the same charges applied to wives of corruptors and delinquent tycoons?

The wives of corruptors and delinquent magnates even serve as intermediaries between their husbands and government authorities for political lobbying and other mutually profitable deals.

PUTU YASA Jakarta