Sheltering a criminal a crime

I am responding to Mr. Suharsono Hadikusumo's letter of Sept. 6, 1996.

I agree that the role of a Catholic priest (also a Kyai or Buddhist monk or professional of any other religion) is partly to give help to persons who are confused, cornered or anxious. But, in my opinion, the help given should be right and proper. In this case, the help given by Romo (the priest) may be misleading and may cause one to go astray.

I quote Mr. Suharsono's statement: "The Priest's duty is identical to that of a doctor". But, I think, the statement is in one way correct and in another way wrong. For example, if a thief or a criminal goes to a doctor for treatment (help), the doctor will give medical treatment and after that he or she must hand the thief over to the police, and not provide shelter or assistance. To shelter or hide a wanted person -- intentionally or not -- is itself a criminal offense. If it is done intentionally, the punishment will be more severe.

In the interrogation by the authorities, Romo argued that he sheltered the PRD (Democratic People's Party) personnel on the grounds that, they were afraid of the PANGDAM's (regional military command) "shoot on the spot" warning. Romo and Benny were quite aware that the sheltered and hidden persons were "wanted". So Mr. Suharsono was illogical and irrational in his defense by saying that Romo and Benny were not aware that the sheltered persons were "wanted persons." They were certainly aware of the situation.

Mr. Suharsono was worried that the international community would criticize Indonesia if Romo and Benny were tried. I am sure the criticism -- if there is any -- will not be as harsh as the criticism against America for the bombing of Iraq.

Instead of sheltering and hiding Budiman Sudjatmiko and others, Romo and Benny should have advised them to surrender to the authorities.

Romo and Benny cannot escape the lawsuit, and Mr. Suharsono could help them with legal aid in order to lighten the possible punishment.

SUNARTO

Jakarta