Zarina's case overexposed

Zarina's case overexposed

From Jayakarta

As an Indonesian, the news that Ecstasy queen Zarina had been
caught and brought back to Indonesia made me proud. I hailed
officer Gories Mere and his police for boosting our national
standing and our police's image. They accomplished the job well
and very professionally.

However, news about this drug pushing beauty who had nearly 30
thousand Ecstasy tablets (worth about Rp 2.9 billion), has been
overexposed, as if there was nothing more important. Belo's case,
which until recently had been hot news, took backseat to news and
pictures of Zarina's arrest. Is she really that important or
could there have been other elements at work?

When Zarina was brought back to Indonesia, I met a foreign
lady. She asked why a woman wanted for possessing drugs got so
much media coverage. "Is the case not still in process, and not
yet legally settled?

The lady said in her country a case still in process would
take up little news space. But after the trial was over and the
case deemed important, the chronology of the case's events would
be heavily reported.

This coming from a foreigner surprised me. I admitted news
about Zarina was overdone. But, like it or not, our reporters
seem to think it is an extraordinary case. Extraordinary because
of her beauty and sex appeal, besides her success in deceiving
the police captain leading to her escape to the U.S.

I did not tell the woman that Indonesia's political situation
was sensitive. A small mistake might cause us to be accused of
instigating political and social protests or demonstrations.

Let us see how the drama of beautiful Zarina is going to end.

ANDHIKA

Jakarta