Violence is real

Violence is real

The Jakarta Police have yet to reveal the real motive for the recent fatal shooting on Jl. Juanda III, in downtown Jakarta, which claimed three lives.

Eyewitnesses said that the incident was initiated by a petty argument after a parking attendant moved a car in an attempt to keep order in his parking lot. Unfortunately, the car he was pushing bumped into another car, whose owner reacted by flying into a murderous rage.

Such a trivial thing led to a fatal shooting. There are many factors which could lead to violence. And most of the factors revolve in some way around money, while the political elites and the legislators have failed to play their roles properly. They themselves are still very vulnerable to "temptations".

We have heard of people being torched to death by angry mobs for just stealing less than Rp 100,000 (about $10) in cash.

Societal problems have become complicated. Violence cannot be linked only to crime. It can also relate to economic and political matters.

The amended Article 33 of the 1945 Constitution (on the people's economy) fails to adequately address or insure against economic shortfalls as it relates to the average citizen. Everything is dependent on market forces.

It's time for all of us to become introspective. The political elites, public leaders, party leaders, legislators and businesspeople must be held responsible for the situation.

We all must be free from the domination of materialism.

-- Kompas, Jakarta