Sheltering a criminal a crime

Wed, 18 Sep 1996, 00:00 WIB | Source: JP

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

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