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