Stop parkirs

Stop parkirs
with pagers

From Republika

Young men acting as traffic authorities are now a common sight
at almost all road junctions and U-turns. They also operate on
roads which are being repaired to help avoid traffic jams. The
drivers usually give Rp 100 in return for their services. But
sometimes these self-appointed workers ask for money in a brutal
way and are quite annoying to the drivers.

They arm themselves with iron rods and stones and threaten the
driver while asking for money, by knocking the stones on the car.
If a driver fails to give them what they ask, the car may be
knocked or scratched with sharp nails.

This illegal activity very often makes the traffic more
congested and chaotic instead of improving conditions. Perhaps
the police are helpless in handling the situation. So I would
like to suggest the authorities patrol the roads and prohibit the
these young people from disturbing the traffic. It will be better
if the patrolling policemen are equipped with paging devices and
let the community know the number of the device so that the
people can page the policemen on duty to come to the spot of an
incident.

SUHARSONO HADIKUSUMO

Jakarta

Bapindo case

From Media Indonesia

Finally, although not as soon as expected, the case of Bapindo
credit fraud is more transparent. More are acknowledged as
involved in the fraud and are being investigated by the Attorney
General's Office, but the people wonder why Sudomo has not been
intensively investigated.

Based on the law, Sudomo is obviously involved in the case,
directly or indirectly, because he has abused his power.

First, he wrote his reference on an official paper and stamped
it with an official stamp, for personal benefit.

Second, Sudomo was forcing his wish and acted as an arranger
with some arrogance as Coordinating Minister for Political and
Security Affairs to smooth the issuance of credit to Eddy Tansil,
through his references.

Third, Sudomo guaranteed and may have protected Tansil's mega
project without following the correct procedures.

The 1945 Constitution stipulates that all citizens are equal
before the law. So it is clear to us that anybody who is found
guilty must get a fair trial without sentimental constraints.

ADRI ISTAMBUL

LINGGA GAYO

Cikeruh, West Java

Sleeping
firemen

On Saturday night, April 9, 1994, there was a fire in our
neighborhood. A neighbor, who lives near the scene of the
conflagration, rang the local fire station. Ring, ring, ring--no
reply. So his son leapt on his motorcycle and sped to the fire
station to wake up the sleeping firemen, who then came to deal
with the situation.

So much for the emergency services! It does not inspire much
confidence in their ability to cope with an emergency, does it?

RB SWAREY-COOKSON

Jakarta

A crook
and a gentleman

From Media Indonesia

We should appreciate the bold action of Japan's Prime Minister
Morihiro Hosokawa to resign from his post following the
corruption scandal.

How so Indonesian government officials act in such a case?

The scandal at Bank Duta that took place several years ago
involved some top government officials, but the only one held
responsible for the losses was Dicky Iskandar Dinata. The top
officials were above the law.

The recent Bapindo corruption scandal also involved some top
officials both from inside and outside of the finance department,
but not one of them has resigned like Prime Minister Hosokawa
did.

It should be appreciated if the top Indonesian officials who
are involved the credit fraud of Rp 1,3 trillion imitate the
brave action of the Japanese Prime Minister who had to be
responsible for his staffs' erroneous deed which occurred 12
years ago, in a corruption scandal of 'just' Rp. 2 billion.

SISWANTO

Jakarta

Judicial collusion

From Kompas

I share the opinion of Prof. Dr. J.E. Sahetapy who said he was
outspoken over the Marsinah case because his "Sense of justice"
was upset. He believes that there was collusion between the judge
and a non-judicial body at the trials.

But, the Chief Justice said that in this particular case he
could not directly interfere with the trial. Because according to
the Chief Justice it would interfere the freedom of the
court/judge to determine whether the defendant is guilty or not.
On the other hand, in the case of the tax refunds manipulation in
Surabaya, which involved Rp. 1.9 billion, and in which the
defendant was acquitted, the Chief Justice boldly said that there
was collusion between the district court and the defendant. I am
sad at the way the Chief Justice looks and deals with the two
cases. Why this contradiction?

As an element of the succeeding generation we are very sad at
the inconsistency showed by the highest law enforcing official
and hope that fairness will prevail in cases like Marsinah and
tax evasion.

ANDREW LONA

Jakarta

Drug use

The availability of drugs is a major problem nowadays. The
purchase of drugs is not very difficult. In fact many school
students are now able to purchase cheap drugs such as the Pil PK
(ecstasy) which has an instant effect on your body making you
feel lightheaded.

Just a few days ago, one of the security guards, working in
the apartment building I live in, came up to my apartment to
deliver my mail. His speech was indistinct and he insisted on
receiving a small "fee" for delivering my mail even though it is
against the rules.

I reported this incident to the head of the security
department who later found out that he had taken a dose of Pil PK
(ecstasies) early that morning. On questioning, his excuse for
taking drugs was his family problems.

I was sorry to hear he was fired the next day. Losing his job
adds to the rest of his problems. Drugs are therefore not an
answer to our problems.

MICHELLE S. MELWANI

Jakarta

What's wrong
with RI

From Kompas

We have heard quite a lot of reports on corruption, abuses of
the law, manipulation of tariffs, murders, rapes, robberies,
drugs abuse, accidents etc. All these claim human lives. It's
very miserable, indeed.

I wonder why is this happening?

Oh, my fellow countrymen! Why don't you speak from the bottom
of your heart and your conscience and try to escape from the
untruth. It is my deep conviction that God will never torture or
punish his creatures, but it is the human beings who torture
themselves.

A. HIDAYAT

Bandung, West Java