Honesty needed when reviewing clashes

Soeryo Winoto , Jakarta | Sat, 05/31/2008 12:07 PM | Opinion

The fuel prices increase by an average of 28.7 percent was eventually announced last Friday after weeks of uncertainty. And, as expected, protests erupted in many parts of the country.

Economically, the decision to increase fuel prices, which the government claims is acceptable and unavoidable, burdens the people more.

Moreover, announcing the fuel prices increase in May is politically unwise given students' sentiment and euphoria to commemorate May 1998. The fall of Soeharto was marked by the fatal shooting at Trisakti Univeristy allegedly committed by Armed Force members including the police. The students' killing remains a dark case.

The recent riots following the student street demonstrations, especially those in Jakarta, provide valuable lessons to government officials, police and students, who contributed to the clash between the police and students.

The city administration failed to anticipate the impact of the policy and did not make the necessary moves before the decision was announced. Cooperation with the Association of Public Land Transportation Owners (Organda) to formulate new public transportation fares should have been made, especially since the two institutions have been familiar with such a situation since Soeharto was in power. Moreover, the recent fuel price decision was predicted and expected. Why didn't the city administration and Organda sit together and calculate new reasonable tariffs before public transport drivers went on strike?

The policy was left to public transportation drivers, who have practically increased their fares at will. Organda is even asking the government to subsidize their fuel expenses days after the fuel price hike.

The police, who have been trying to improve their attitude when handling street protests, especially those conducted by students, also played a significant role in the riot. After Soeharto's fall, the police was separated from the Indonesian Military (TNI).

The People's Consultative Assembly (MPR) separated the police from ABRI in 2000, and this separation was enforced by law in 2002. The law stipulates that the police are in charge of maintaining security and public order, upholding and enforcing the law, and guarding and protecting the people by respecting human rights.

Police face more pressures to respect human rights.

Police officers are just human beings with limited patience, especially when they have to deal with demonstrators' destructive behavior and anarchistic manner. The recent clash between National University (Unas) students and the police could be cited as a fresh example.

It is hard to accept that students, who are believed to be agents of democracy, have demonstrated their denial of others' rights by blocking the streets and prohibiting motorists from entering certain streets during their street protests. It seems students find it hard to abide by the law and avoid anarchism during demonstrations. This, too, contributed to the student-police clash.

While honesty and fairness is needed to clarify why the Unas clash began, the alleged violation by the South Jakarta Police has not been properly reported. Some TV stations repeated reports of police brutality near Unas' campus in Pasar Minggu, but there have been no clear reports about the students throwing stones and Molotov cocktails at the officers before the clash had even erupted. Public opinion has obviously been built up so that the police has become the fall guy for entering the campus and committing destruction.

Now, almost all fingers, including those of members of the House of Representatives and the National Commission of Human Rights, are pointed at the police, urging police accountability.

In another street demo conducted by students of Dr. Moestopo University in Kebayoran Baru, students attacked and beat a police officer passing on Jl. Hang Lekir. The university, however, denied the attack was conducted by its students.

Street demonstration at night (after dark) is not recommended by the police for the sake of public order. In a talk show on a private TV station Thursday morning a spokesperson for Unas students gave an odd answer when the host asked him why the students conducted the street demo at night. He answered, "Then why did the government announce the fuel price hike at night?"

Another question may go to the rector of Unas, who condemned the police actions at the campus, but didn't explain why he allowed the students to use the campus as a "bastion" during the demonstration.

After all it is imperative that all parties are frank and honest when reviewing the clash. The government must be introspective and should openheartedly accept that any decisions affecting the people must be thoroughly studied with fixed plans put in place to counter the anticipated negative impacts. Public debates need integrated input from political, social and economic points of view. In this way a one-sided decision could be avoided.

For the police, being patient is not enough to handle student demonstrations. Professionalism is badly needed and this could be achieved through intensive and appropriate education and training.

For the students, conveying people's aspiration through demonstration is noteworthy, but respecting the law and maintaining public order during protests is a must. Remember that everybody is subject to the law. So let's be introspective and be honest.

The writer is a journalist.

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