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