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