We do not live in cowboy country

We do not live in cowboy country

Last Wednesday's fatal shooting of prosecutor Ferry Silalahi
of the Central Sulawesi Prosecutors' Office came as a big blow to
us.

It is not the first time a member of the judiciary has been
shot dead by irresponsible people. Ferry's murder has further
blackened the climate of the country's judicial system.

A biased court and flawed judiciary has become the status quo.

British Ambassador Charles Humfrey's disappointment over a UK
company's loss in a legal dispute with its local partner remains
fresh in the mind. Reports said the court had been partial and
unfair in the case -- this is only a small example of the unfair
court proceedings that prevail here.

It is ironic that clean judicial members, like Ferry, die for
their principles.

We condemn such a "cowboy" practice, and Ferry's tragic death
should become the last high price we should pay to uphold the
law. -- Bisnis Indonesia, Jakarta