Violence in Kuta
Bali Island, the most popular tourist spot in Indonesia, and probably the most famous Indonesian destination for tourists from all over the world.
After visiting Bali several times as a tourist, I just can't watch it anymore. There has to be a solution to the increasing violence in Kuta. I have many friends who have bad experiences both during the day and at night in the crowded Kuta area. People were robbed, threatened, beaten, kicked and so on. It's time to put an end to this before the situation gets even worse.
The police in Denpasar need more personnel to be sent to the troubled Legian area in Kuta, where tourists from so many countries enjoy the nightlife. Bars and dancing spots are crowded, but many younger people are now hesitant about going back to Bali.
Why not send some policemen/soldiers to patrol the streets of Legian and Seminyak. I am sure that the mere knowledge of the policemen's presence will cool down a few of the brutal and drunken youngsters.
KENT LARSSON
Yogyakarta
Hindering development
From Berita Buana
After reading Probosutedjo's articles and analysis in this newspaper about the Bapindo credit scam some time ago, I became quite furious, as if my heart was burning, and needed some time to cool down before I was able to write this letter.
I, who was one of the country's freedom fighters and imbued by the ideal for a bright and prosperous future in a free atmosphere, feel not only deeply disappointed but also hopeless in the knowledge that our own countrymen have committed vicious acts which can be categorized as treasonous to the nation.
Egged on by the desire to enrich themselves, they shamelessly abused their power through corruption or collusion. This constitutes a hindrance to development.
I am saddened when I recall our compatriots who sacrificed their lives during the struggle for freedom. They made these sacrifices for the sake of independence. I would like to kneel down before their graves, and ask their forgiveness for allowing the said treason to occur and doing nothing to stop it. We should feel guilty indeed.
We can make excuses that we are powerless against the powerful forces that protect the traitors. We could be accused of creating disturbances and hence being crushed.
I am not saying Eddy Tansil and other such criminals are guilty of treason. Because they are traders who only want to make profit through fair or foul means at any cost, they took advantage of opportunities open to them. The guilty parties are those who have the authority to open up opportunities for the thieves. What has happened is the bank director or senior officials of the bank received a certain amount of money (hundreds of million rupiah) to facilitate the process of acquiring credit involving hundreds of billion rupiah of state funds through unfair means.
Can corruption and collusion be terminated? Given that many officials are ready to take bribes and have already lost their integrity, we need a fighting force to curb this practice. This force will surely have the moral support of a public sick and tired of such rotten bureaucrats.
I am awfully sure that sooner or later, as Probosutedjo said, the vices will be known and the virtues will manifest themselves.
SUNARYO
Jakarta
Michael Fay won't fade away
Fay's case has no doubt attracted world-wide attention. In my opinion it is not because the punishment prescribed by law is disproportionate to the crime or that the judiciary is seen to play the role of an enforcing arm of the executive, or that Singapore can be pressured. Then why? Because somehow, Singapore has made the world sense that leniency is not part and parcel of administration of justice, when it is, indeed, as much a part as integrity, devotion to due process and transparency.
Is there room for leniency in this case? Yes. Unless any Singaporean regulation imposes an obligation on all foreigners to know its laws and punishments, or vandalism is an offense that is well orchestrated like Singapore's campaign against drug trafficking. Then one can say with utter conviction that Fay knew the consequences of what he was doing and proof of guilt was the sole requirement of handing out his punishment.
My submission is simple: "Benefit of doubt" the heart and soul of criminal justice which lets one off the hook without actually exonerating him, should also act as a mitigating factor to temper justice with mercy; otherwise, the court system, while fallible, would seem to be playing God or tend to glorify law as the source of all righteousness; as a deity, if you will.
There were many letters on this case from all over the world but almost all lectured either to or for Singapore. Many even gloated. It is a matter of regret that none said "Sorry Fay, barring an unexpected turn, highly unlikely, given the precedence of 'face' rather than compassion in this part of the world, you have to take stoically what comes."
Now Fay, who has been dished out the entire cornucopia, is going through it all. His age (young); nature of the crime (devoid of moral turpitude); no previous brush with law (first offender), nationality (which could mean ignorance of the sternness of the Singapore courts) social and family background (propensity for lark) have all been regarded as excess baggage, not to be taken on board. To anyone's innate sense of fairness and equity and where the aim is to achieve respect for law instead of cowering, these should make a difference. Otherwise a judgment would only seem pointlessly penal.
The parent is in all of us; an intense, overpowering psyche. Therefore it would be a matter of dread to everybody that a first mis-step should forfeit leniency and bring down the full wrath of the law.
So Fay's case poses the question: whether a court is a house of justice or correction?; a lofty humane institution or a blinkered, self-righteous body? The noise-level of this case would subside; but the aspect of the case, that a court should administer a strong medicine, without any let-up, will undoubtedly trouble many.
G.S. EDWIN
Jakarta
Students' programs over the holidays
From Neraca
In celebrating Jakarta's anniversary on June 22 this year, it would be better for the government not to mark it with fireworks or parties as usual, but with other, more beneficial activities.
As the celebration coincides with the school holidays, perhaps the Jakarta municipal government and schools in Jakarta could come up with a joint holiday program for the students. Fund raising and social work organized by students are good choices.
Money from the fund raising program, for example, could be donated in the form of books and school supplies to unfortunate children who cannot attend school. And one kind of social work could be cleaning graffiti from highway bridges, walls, trees, monuments so that the city will look nice and clean.
These activities can serve as positive steps as the students learn how to care for and love their environment.
MRS. FAISAL
Jakarta
Ferry safety rulings
From Kompas
With regard to the recent accident involving the Ketapang- Gilimanuk ferry in Bali which took many lives, I propose that: 1. The ferries should be equipped with an adequate number of life jackets. 2. These life jackets should be given to the passengers once they enter the boat. 3. The cars loaded onto the ferry should leave enough space between them for passengers to walk. 4. Bus passengers should get out of their buses during the voyage. 5. The officials take precautions when the number of passengers double, during holidays like Idul Fitri or Christmas. Perhaps the Minister of Transportation needs to inspect the harbors on those days. Heavy penalties should be handed down to those who violate the rules.
Human error is pervasive in such an accident, it is imperative that the government improve the skills of the ferry crews.
M. RAMLI
Mataram, Lombok