Issue: TNI members allegedly torture, kill debt collector

April 20, p. 1

An angry group of Indonesian Military (TNI) members allegedly tortured and killed a debt collector in Depok, West Java, on Monday. Helmy Yohanes Manuputty, 34, died from his wounds at Indonesian Christian University (UKI) Hospital in Cawang, East Jakarta, on Monday evening.

The death of Helmy, a debt collector who worked for leasing company PT Sinar Mitra Sepadan (SMS), came less than a month after politician Irzen Octa died while meeting Citibank debt collectors in Jakarta.

According to allegations made by family and friends, Helmy was taken away from PT SMS’s offices by several TNI members.

Helmy was assigned by PT SMS to collect payments on a car loan held by a TNI member who failed to make payments for the last two months.

An eyewitness, identified as A.T., alleged that the debtor, accompanied by about 100 TNI members in civilian clothes, mobbed the company’s office in Margonda, brandishing machetes and firearms, and attacking Helmy and his colleagues.

Helmy and three colleagues, A.T., Aldo and Videl, were allegedly taken away by the group. A.T. said he escaped while the others remained with their captors.

Your comments:

It’s a fact. Many TNI members and police members consider themselves above the law. Worse, they have neither decency nor shame in hiding their immunity.

I am more concerned with ever rising cruelty and violence among the general population, particularly among those who feel superior to others.

This widespread bullying mentality and behavior are outright sickening and the fact that some of these psychopaths walk among us is chilling.

Sasha
Jakarta

None of this surprises me; it is all consistent with the poor reputation acquired by TNI, both at home and abroad, especially in recent years.

A nation’s armed forces are supposed to be trained in the art of discipline, including self discipline, but what we are seeing with the TNI too many times is a lack of discipline and self control when dealing with members of the community.

They adopt an attitude of superiority and aggression that it is totally unacceptable. Why don’t we see and hear the reality of so many attacks on our community? The answer is fear. People are afraid of reprisals if they report an incident.

This is especially true in Papua, but clearly it also occurs elsewhere in Indonesia. I think it is about time that the President demands more from his old organization.

He must be aware of all the illegal business and the steady stream of TNI mistreatment has meted out to ordinary citizens, of which Helmy is the latest victim.

Nairdah
Sydney

Recently, I talked with a public minivan driver who told me that some days ago his vehicle was hit from behind by a TNI member on a motorcycle on Jl. Pajajaran in Bogor.

Not only did the military man not want to pay for the damage he caused, he also was very rude and frightened the driver and his passengers. It seems that Indonesia is sliding backwards, and very quickly too.

Tami Koestomo
Bogor, West Java

It looks as if this bunch of brutes is taking advantage of public sentiment to bully debt collectors. This is not about business relations gone wrong anymore.

This is about violence, cruelty and disrespect for others rights. Every day these behaviors are demonstrated everywhere; on the road, at home, schools, workplaces. It’s getting worse.

People should look inside themselves to see if they have this kind of violent and bullying tendencies.

Looking at what these people are doing to fellow humans, one can’t help but shudder at the thought of what they might be capable of doing to lesser beings. Where does that seed of cruelty come from?

Sasha
Jakarta

Remember the brutality and violence of the Red Guards during China’s Cultural Revolution? Apparently, now we have the Green Guards.

Marcelin
Jakarta

“Those found guilty will be punished,” Yes, we know. You are a bad boy! These are the people suppose to protect us. That’s the problem in Indonesia.

Dewi
Jakarta

What do you think they’ll be charged with? Disobeying orders like the other torturers?

We’ve seen this type of action many times throughout history and it never ends well.

Bob
Jakarta