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Another misused official license plate case fades from view
It has happened again
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span>It has happened again. A second clear-cut 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.
Past cases of misuse of car license plates were never resolved, at least not publicly.
In the latest case on June 1, traffic cops drew the line with reckless driving. They stopped a luxury SUV car that was speeding. The video showed the driver, later identified as 24-year-old Kevin Kosasih from South Tangerang, producing the car registration certificate and the corresponding license plate belonging to the National Police.
The Bogor Police initially said the plate and certificate were fake. Brig. Gen Dedi Prasetyo from the National Police, however, made a correction, saying they were genuine and that an investigation was being carried out to determine which officer should be held responsible for their misuse.
On Monday, 10 days after the event, National Police spokesman Snr. Com. Asep Adi Saputra gave an update when asked whether police had identified the officer responsible: “We are still investigating”.
Asep also said Kevin was faulted for driving without wearing a seatbelt and driving in the wrong direction on a one-way street. He was nevertheless released and was not charged in relation to the misuse of a state property.
Neta said releasing Kevin without charges sent the wrong message to the public. “It is as if they are protecting Kevin.”
The case is likely to disappear into thin air, just like the case of the misuse of a military car license plate on a SUV used in an election campaign event of presidential candidate Prabowo Subianto. The presence of the car drew attention because the military was supposed to stay neutral and take no part in election campaigns.
Military Police chief Maj. Gen. Dedy Iswanto told the press at the time that this was a clear violation that could tarnish the military’s reputation.
However, to this day the public has not heard about any actions taken to discipline the culprit. (dmy)
