Violence still practiced

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