Syafruddin's courage

From Suara Karya

We are all deeply saddened by the news of the murder of Fuad M. Syafruddin, a journalist with Bernas daily. He was writing about diversion of government funds earmarked for a backward village in Yogyakarta.

1. Nowadays, it is rare to find someone who has the courage to defend the interests of the people. Syafruddin is a present-day hero.

2. Experience shows that law violators are allowed to move about freely because of enforcers' leniency. This may lead to an escape as in the Edy Tansil case.

3. However, someone reporting on corruption is immediately "punished", so that an impression is created that the warning is directed at the one who has done the reporting and not at the criminal himself.

Nevertheless, we hope there are more people with courage like Syafruddin in this country.

ABBAS AMIEN

Balikpapan, East Kalimantan