Violence in Kuta

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