Traffic fine

Traffic fine

From Media Indonesia

On June 23, 1994 at about eight in the evening, the patrolling
policemen in the Pamulang area stopped a car driven by a student
with two other passengers. The driver was charged with violating
the traffic law because one of his rear lamps was off. For this
fault, the Jakarta Police had the right to confiscate the vehicle
and fine the driver Rp 36,000.

The driver tried to tell the policemen that he was not aware
of the problem and that only a few moments earlier the lamp had
been on, adding that the bad road might have caused the failure.

But the policemen rejected the explanation and insisted on
taking the car. Later the policemen offered a compromise saying
the driver should pay Rp 40,000 as a fine, instead. The
passengers paid the fine and the problem was settled.

We were certainly not happy with this incident. The good image
of the police will be tarnished by such practices. I think it
would be commendable if the policemen gave the driver a chance to
repair the faulty lamp, or even gave a helping hand if necessary.

Name and address

withheld