TheJakartaPost
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Consistency matters
National Police spokesperson Argo Yuwono said the two generals were dismissed because they did not carry out orders to enforce health protocols.
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H
eads have rolled following blatant violations of the physical distancing order during a series of events involving firebrand cleric Rizieq Shihab and his followers.
After law enforcement officials failed to prevent and act against the violations at the events, National Police chief Gen. Idham Azis replaced Jakarta Police chief Insp. Gen. Nana Sujana and West Java Police chief Rudy Sufahradi Novianti as part of a major reshuffle announced on Monday.
National Police spokesperson Argo Yuwono said the two generals were dismissed because they did not carry out orders to enforce health protocols. Also losing their jobs are Central Jakarta Police chief Sr. Comr. Heru Novianto and Bogor Police chief Adj. Sr. Comr. Roland Ronaldy.
That the police and the public order agency could not uphold health protocols when Rizieq organized events that attracted huge crowds in Jakarta and Bogor after his arrival from Saudi Arabia on Nov. 10 has sent the wrong message about law enforcement and its discriminatory patterns.
The replacement of two provincial police officers and two city police chiefs therefore serves as a clear warning to all members of the force about strictly upholding health protocols.
No other mechanism has effectively protected us from COVID-19 other than the health protocols, which comprise wearing masks, washing hands with soap and physical distancing. To deter people from breaching the protocols, the government has arranged punishments in the form of community service and fines, which some argue is too mild given the severity of COVID-19, especially in Jakarta.
Rizieq is the latest example of the inconsistencies surrounding enforcement and deterrence against violations.
The Jakarta Public Order Agency has fined him Rp 50 million, a small amount given that he had endangered public health.
Tegal Legislative Council deputy speaker Wasmad Edi Susilo is now standing trial for holding a dangdut concert that attracted huge crowds on Sept. 23. The politician is being charged under Health Quarantine Law No. 6/2018 for putting public health at risk. If the police dare to act against Wasmad, then their counterparts in Greater Jakarta should have a reason to launch an investigation into Rizieq.
The National Police’s Criminal Investigation Department has sent summonses to Jakarta Governor Anies Baswedan and some of his subordinates, as well as Rizieq, for clarification and questioning related to the alleged violation of the physical distancing rule during the gatherings held under Rizieq.
Some might be suspicious about the investigation into Rizieq, or perhaps Anies, being politically motivated given the cleric’s persistent jabs at the government and President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo in particular. Such accusations would have been dispelled if law enforcers were consistent in who they targeted in cracking down on heath protocol violations, including regional head candidates taking part in the elections on Dec. 9.
Inconsistency has long been the Achilles’ heel of the country’s law enforcement. Certain people feel they are free to defy the law because of their power, whether over money or the masses, and because there is room to negotiate.
