F

lorence Sihombing was arrested by police last Saturday and I can'€™t stop asking why. Let'€™s say Florence'€™s statement was considered detrimental by some people.

But why did the police decide to arrest her so easily, while at the same time do nothing about many cases of intolerance that are obviously more dangerous?

Remember the so-called '€œWar Against Pluralism'€ declaration at the Gedhe Kauman Mosque, Yogyakarta Palace, last June? The speaker, Laskar Jihad leader Jafar Umar Thalib, denigrated Yogyakarta Sultan Hamengkubuwono X for promoting pluralism in his region. Jafar is also said to be a suspect in the attack on Julius Felicianus, a Catholic, just a week before. In this case I didn'€™t hear any widespread protests from Yogyakarta'€™s citizens.

If Yogyakarta citizens hate Florence, why do they appear to not hate Jafar? Florence apologized publicly, but maybe it has never occurred to Jafar to apologize.

Florence was just frustrated with a long queue, while Jafar incited hatred toward communities of different religions. Florence complained, Jafar called for an attack.

So why do people keep on bullying Florence while saying nothing to Jafar?

The same city, same citizens, and sadly the same police officers are applying double standards. This is embarrassing for a city that once called itself '€œthe city of tolerance'€.

Dear Yogyakarta Police, can'€™t you see? Or must Jafar post his hate speech on social media first before you finally act?
 

Rio Tuasikal
Jakarta