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SMS: Police brutality
Thu, 07/02/2009 1:11 PM | Reader's Forum
Your comments on Amnesty International's report that the Indonesian Police routinely abuse prisoners, as well as poor and marginalized people.
Let us not argue about what happened in the past because it would be a never ending story. Police brutality happens all over the world, even in the US.
Why do I use the US as an example? Because it claims to be the most democratic country, but discrimination still exists there.
In Malaysia, we saw what the police did to former deputy PM Anwar Ibrahim and also to Indonesian workers etc.
How about what happened in Iraq, Afghanistan, Guantanamo and Vietnam?
E. Nurdin
Jakarta
They are not really like police but more like a gang sponsored by the government.
Dan
Jakarta
I once witnessed a poor young boy who tried to steal a hen get a terrifying punishment.
A police officer stapled his ears with a stapler and this was inhumane. He just added to the boy's sorrows. Do they know that the poor committed crimes because the government doesn't care about their welfare?
Mathilda
Bekasi, West Java
The Amnesty International report only confirms what has long been known about the Indonesian Police's heavy handling of criminal suspects and the poor.
The much touted revamping of the Police force seems to exist on paper only - it certainly has not trickled down to those officials in the field whose very job it is to protect the people.
V. T. Hopkins
Jakarta
Abuse against criminal suspects and members of the community happens in Indonesia.
After all, our Police Force consists of persons coming from a variety of local cultures and traditions with different perceptions and attitudes.
The short professional course and training does not make them ideal agents.
Strong leadership, control and prompt disciplinary actions by their superiors are needed. In my opinion, Amnesty International's report that the abuse is widespread is exaggerated.
Soebagjo Soetadji
Jakarta
Everybody in Indonesia knows about police abuse here, everybody knows about the widespread corruption of the Indonesian police and most of the people are afraid to react. When are we going to have a president who does something about these abuses?
Gabrielle
Jakarta
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