War against preman: why now?

War against preman: why now?

The police declared all out war against hoodlums (locally called preman) and the Army immediately issued a statement supporting the effort. Kompas March 13, 1995 reported that the Governor of Jakarta and the Chief of Bakorstanasda have joined the choir. Not only that, three youth organizations (why only three?) decided to give their support. All these are felt like a fresh, cool breeze on a hot afternoon.

But still a disturbing question lingers in my mind: Is this vengeance? It seems to be, since the declaration of war from the police came directly after a police officer was brutally murdered and another wounded by hooligans. But I sincerely hope that my suspicion is wrong.

I remembered when an Army Brigadier General was killed in almost the same manner there was no war declared. Normal law procedure was followed, the culprits were arrested and intensively interrogated.

Another thing lingering in my mind is the fact that this hooliganism has existed for quite a long time.

The hooligans disturbed the peace, were engaged in extortion and planted fear in the hearts and minds of small-scale businessmen. But why did we not take action or declare war earlier?

Even the new Army Chief Gen. Hartono said in Semarang that the strange thing is, why did we keep quiet all this time?

We must try very hard to solve this social problem and try to find the core of this phenomenon. I am not of the opinion that these youths are real criminals, but the social conditions, social jealousies, environment, unemployment etc. have helped to create this unfortunate situation. Our efforts must be a combination of hard hitting tactics and a show of goodwill and understanding. This is not a matter of vengeance and vendetta.

I would like to draw the readers' attention to a speech of President Soeharto on Aug. 16, 1976 on the occasion of the release of communist rebels from Buru. He said: "However big their crime was, which almost sent our beloved country to the brink of destruction, they are and still remain members of Indonesian society. We have to receive them back in our midst. We must make them realize their previous mistakes. We must ask them to participate in establishing their own private life and together develop our society."

What a noble and touching expression of fatherly love and affection for those who once went astray. No vengeance, no rancor.

In the back of our minds, to rehabilitate the preman must be the most important consideration. This does not mean taking a soft attitude. Far from that. We have to be resolute and firm and maintain a no nonsense attitude.

I will never tire of stressing that the whole society must give their wholehearted support, because this war waged along moral lines as stated above is for our benefit.

SOEGIH ARTO

Jakarta