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