Violence still practiced

On Thursday Dec. 10, I saw a news report on CNN about clashes between students and security apparatuses on Dec. 9 in Kuningan, South Jakarta, after the examination of former president Soeharto.

The TV report showed a policeman wearing a dark blue and black beret kicking a student, who had been caught. This policeman was overacting. He kicked again, this time, another student, also already caught. He seemed to be eying other victims.

The actions of this policeman, aired the world over, by chance, on Human Rights Day, is obviously very embarrassing to the nation and the state.

I believe this brutal act, seemingly controlled by a desire only, should not have been committed by a police officer. In this case, I believe the head of the Indonesian Police should be responsible for this violence and also take action against the police officer concerned. Unfortunately, in a situation like this only the oknum (individual member of the corps) will be blamed.

AMIR SIDHARTA

Jakarta