. (I'm not sure I like it myself though)
Police officer Sergeant Ahmad Rusdi is pitiable man. His professional duties have to be performed in Palu, Central Sulawesi.
And he is a bereaved man. A pair of $ 1-flip-flops was stolen from him. In November 2010.
The sandals were old and worn, but obviously of huge emotional worth. And apparently they belonged to a man of strict principles. One with a clear view on issues of mine and thine. No mercy!
The local department of the country’s able and diligent Police force acted in the most efficient way. Gallantly the Guardians of Justice cornered, punched and arrested the ferocious 15 years old villain. Next the criminal was taken to court.
These days, after over a year, final Justice will be done. The good-for-nothing may well be sentenced to five years in prison. Which will serve him right of course.
Either this previous account of the stolen Police sandals was approved of by the authorities themselves- or it was irony.
Fortunately part of the Indonesian public opinion takes a point of view that is different from the official one. Budhi Kurniawan, other human rights activists and thousands ordinary fellow citizens perfectly grasp the irony of police indignation over a trivial, petty theft on one side and the neglect of excessive Police violence, judicial corruption and the like on the other hand. An action – “1000 sandals for the national police commander”- has been launched to shower the men in uniform with sandals. Mountains of that footwear are being delivered at the police station.
It is what it should be: beating bitter irony by frisky irony.
I guess the best way to undermine their authoritarian haughtiness is to confront these men with power with playful teasing. Like this peaceful demonstration by which people show they don’t buy their bullshit any-more.
Three cheers to public opinion which is way ahead of the Police.
this police should be ashamed, this is worse than the kid who was accused for stealing 10,000 IDR voucher
The policeman is not just an ordinary policeman but member of Brimob (mobile brigade) i.e. a special unit that handle special tasks like fighting terrorists. Charging the kid would cause bitter critics against them.
The protest, by collecting sandals, is a good and peaceful way
@ calvin: It’s worrying these kind of incidents occur since they are inherent to the Police-culture. But it’s great there is this trend in public reactions of ( strong) disapproval. Since the state’s institutions have to operate in a democracy where public opinion is important, I guess bye and bye the police organization and it’s individual officers will change their manners for the good.
@ Harry: Yes, I agree with you. It is the right way:non-violent satire and irony. Authorities who are publicly laughed at loose their might to intimidate.
Since the poor boy has been beaten badly by these so-called guardians of justice, it would only be fair if these officers got a slap on their faces (literally) with these sandal jepits.
@ Aprianti: As much as I use to oppose to corporal punishment, in this exceptional case the slap you propose appears to be quite appropriate
.
Well, say it not with flowers but with “sandals” !
@ Utomo: Though the point is there is a marked difference between the scent of flowers and the odour of sweat feet
.
The price of flip-flops: Rp. 12,000
The price of pursuing a criminal act for prosecution to the district court level: Rp. 5,825,000 (according to here: http://www.sjdih.depkeu.go.id/fullText/2011/120~PMK.02~2011PerLamp2.htm)
The price of knowing your law enforcement agencies can’t seem to get their priorities straight and ridicule them for it: priceless.
@ nrg07: The facts speak. If it weren’t for a charade of the rule of law, it would be illuminating cabaret indeed.
By the way I read this smart observation on the matter of rule of law here: http://portraitindonesia.com/2012/01/cheating-justice-the-case-of-the-teenage-sandal-thief/.
[...] Colson calls the protest as ‘beating bitter irony by frisky irony’ An action – “1000 sandals for the national police commander”- has been launched to shower the men in uniform with sandals. Mountains of that footwear are being delivered at the police station. [...]
[...] Colson calls the protest as ‘beating bitter irony by frisky irony’ An action – “1000 sandals for the national police commander”- has been launched to shower the men in uniform with sandals. Mountains of that footwear are being delivered at the police station. [...]