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View all search resultsAnother misused official license plate case fades from view
In March, the license plate of a military car was used for election campaigning. Early this month, a plate belonging to the National Police for a car designated to escort the President was used for a joyride.
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A Bogor traffic police officer stops a speeding SUV bearing an official police license plate. The driver of the car was a 24-year-old civilian from South Tangerang, Banten. (Kompas Cyber Media/-)
I
t has happened again. A second clearcut case of misuse of an official license plate that had gone viral has disappeared from public attention without any official explanation about how it happened and, more importantly, if anyone has been punished.
In March, the license plate of a military car was used for election campaigning. Early this month, a plate belonging to the National Police for a car designated to escort the President was used for a joyride.
Both cases, documented in short videos that quickly made the rounds in social media, caused a huge public uproar. Yet, each time the case simply vanished and public attention moved on to newer stories.
Using police or military license plates gives drivers privileges that civilian plates do not confer, even impunity when violating minor traffic laws.
Traffic police would be reluctant to stop drivers with such plates, turning a blind eye rather than earning the wrath from any of their seniors who could possibly be inside the car, hidden behind darkly tinted glass.
It is a widely held belief that many wealthy or powerful people have had access to such license plates, usually borrowed or rented for a price, using them to enjoy privileges on the road, according to Indonesian Police Watch chairman Neta S. Pane.
“These plates don’t come cheap. You’d have to pay Rp 50 million [US$3,600] at least,” Neta told The Jakarta Post on Wednesday.
