The police and Tommy

The police and Tommy

In a joint declaration, the top command of the national police
has assured the nation that fugitive Tommy Soeharto will be
caught before the end of the year. The impression is that the
police now have an idea where the famous son of the former ruler
is hiding himself.

Responding to questions from the press, the police spokesman
could only say that Tommy is still in the country. There has not
been any explanation of how the police arrived at that
conclusion. Or why it took so long before his hiding place was
detected. The police source only admitted that Tommy is still an
influential person with many friends, and can spend huge sums of
money to confuse the police.

But this time he can no longer elude the security dragnet.
Just wait and see before sunrise in the year 2001. It is only a
pity that the police have failed to elaborate more in order to
sound more convincing.

To ordinary citizens the Tommy affair has remained as
mysterious as ever. Actually, the public has more things to worry
about than concentrating on the fate of the one single person who
has always been living as a prince until now.

The only reason many still care to think about the Tommy issue
is because they want to see justice served as quickly as
possible. They wanted to see former president Soeharto and his
son put behind bars.

The police must prove they are not bluffing but really talking
rationally when promising to arrest Tommy before the end of this
year.

The police have not offered a reward for information leading
to his arrest to make public participation worthwhile. With no
incentive attached, do not think the public will be willing to
provide any information.

In Texas, USA, if you are wanted by the police there is a
price on your head. Why can't the police here understand such
simple arithmetic.

Writing a letter on this subject I feel that I am wasting time
and energy while there are still many people struggling just to
celebrate Christmas, Idul Fitri and New Year, with their families
at their villages because they could not get a train or bus
ticket.

If the police are not bluffing, and their effort is yielding
tangible results in bringing justice to the people, then there is
reason to celebrate Idul Fitri festivities. But not while I
believe that Tommy is chuckling in his sleep, under the
protection of many of his sympathizers.

GANDHI SUKARDI

Jakarta