Provide Safety for the People!

KOMPAS/P RADITYA MAHENDRA YASA

A police line encircles a Daihatsu Ayla car, which was damaged by unknown people in arson last week on Jl Ciliwung, Semarang city, Central Java, Monday (11/2/2019). The perpetrators and motives of vehicle arson cases carried out randomly in various places have not been revealed.

The 28 vehicle arsons in Central Java from Dec. 12, 2018, to Feb. 11, 2019, should not be seen as normal!

There must be certain motives behind the crimes. There is no other way for the police but to resolve this series of incidents. We underline the statement of Central Java Police chief Insp. Gen. Condro Kirono, who said that the incidents were linked to one another. The Central Java Police have deployed 1,200 personnel to improve the province’s security.

The police should prioritize the investigation of these vehicle arsons. If the notion that the incidents are related to one another is proven true, we can presume that there are people who are trying to disrupt safety and stability in Central Java. The police must hunt down these people and network. It is true what Central Java Governor Ganjar Pranowo said: “Once we get one, we will get them all.”

The state, or the National Police, in this case, must be able to provide a guarantee of safety. Freedom from fear is a human right. Quoting Semarang State University sociology and anthropology professor Tri Marhaeni: “Terror acts often emerged ahead of general elections”. There remains the possibility that these vehicle arsons in Central Java were politically motivated. Tri said that previous similar crimes, including the hantu cekik (choking ghost), kolor ijo (green briefs) and plastic rice cases, were also linked to certain political agendas.

Anyone can make their own analysis. However, it is the duty and responsibility of the police to find out who really committed the crimes in Central Java. No one should resort to vigilantism as this may lead to clashes between groups in society. A spirit of togetherness must be fostered to find out the motives behind the crimes in Central Java, whatever they may be, and to prevent similar incidents in the future.

We encourage the police to use their best ability to find these criminals. People must be willing to be involved, within the limits of the law, to protect the harmony and sense of community in Central Java.

Everyone must be committed to preserving peace ahead of the general elections on April 17. The election is a democratic means for the people to elect their leaders and their representatives. A leadership change must be done through general elections and never through any other way. We must have the conviction that general elections are the only path toward power. Do not ever think to try any other way.

Therefore, elections and all of its phases must be monitored and protected together. Election organizers, namely the General Elections Commission (KPU), the Elections Supervisory Body (Bawaslu), candidates and campaign teams must be committed to carrying out quality elections. The government, especially the police and the military, must have the responsibility to create a climate that is favorable for the smooth organization of the elections.