BandungBergerak.id – Reading and seeking information related to the surrounding situation and conditions is something I enjoy. One of the ways to access information more quickly is through the X application, formerly known as Twitter. Almost every day, there’s news, whether it's good or bad. However, lately, news about violence cases has been spreading more widely. These stories, which are accessible to the public, are merely the tip of the iceberg, and the full picture remains unseen. Several questions come to mind, such as: Is there still a safe space for all of us? Why is that sense of safety slowly fading away? Who should be held accountable for this situation?

To begin, I will share a story that many people are currently talking about. This is the case of a girl who sold fried snacks and was murdered by an unemployed man. The killer hid for 11 days and successfully spread fear throughout the area. Fortunately, the killer was caught. However, there are aspects of this case that I cannot fully grasp. Similarly, there’s the case of a child murdered by five adults out of personal resentment. Various questions arise in my mind, one of them being, why did this happen?

Let’s start with the assumption that a lack of education is a fundamental factor contributing to these incidents. Without proper education, both intellectually and morally, such immoral stories and cases will continue to occur. Those who do not receive adequate education are likely to struggle with distinguishing between right and wrong, something that should be shaped through analytical abilities fostered in formal education. As a result, impulsive actions are taken without mature thought.

Another issue is the disproportionate punishment. We often find that judges in Indonesia are not wise in delivering sentences to lawbreakers. The most glaring example is corruption cases that receive lighter sentences compared to common people who steal others’ property. The actions may be similar, but corruptors personally gain more and cause greater harm to society, especially when compared to a poor person stealing a piece of wood to survive. The damage caused by the lower-class person is minimal. Ironically, the punishment given to them is often harsher than that of the corruptors. We must not be two-faced or hypocritical towards ourselves. We often witness how the law becomes increasingly unjust and dependent on outside influence. Special favors seem to lurk behind every ruling that is handed down.

While theft cases might seem less relevant when compared to cases of violence and murder, what I conveyed earlier serves as a wake-up call for officials and law enforcers in this country. Regarding violence and murder, the punishments given do not seem to instil deterrence or fear in those around. At least, that is my initial argument about the ongoing violence. Over time, I have come to realize that the core issue is not the severity of the punishment but rather the lack of involvement from law enforcement and security officials in creating a safe environment for society.

In Indonesia, our security officers often only respond after a video or story goes viral. What’s even sadder is that some cases are only addressed after lives have been lost. If they acted more quickly, were more responsive, and showed empathy, no one would have to lose their life. Once again, unfortunately, we live in Indonesia. Things move when money is involved. While this doesn’t apply universally, there are far too many corrupt individuals, and their collective presence is significant. Isn’t preventive action better than reactive measures?

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The Concept of “Safety”

There is a specific reason behind my argument regarding the concept of "safety" in this discourse. Generally, we can agree that every criminal should receive a fitting punishment so that it serves as a deterrent to others with similar intentions. However, I disagree with the idea of punishment being the primary solution in efforts to eradicate crime. If we delve deeper into this issue, we will discover that the government is absent as the main authority responsible for creating a stable (violence- and crime-free) environment.

My initial hypothesis about the root cause of violence is valid. Why? Many people today prioritize surviving the next day over thinking about providing proper education for their children. Physical labor takes precedence, while intellectual development seems to be an afterthought. This occurs due to the government's failure to create a prosperous society. Despite Indonesia's vast wealth, the country is unable to provide its citizens with a decent living. Capitalism appears to be masked by nationalism. What evidence supports this? There is a stark disparity between the richest people in Indonesia (some of whom are among the 100 wealthiest in the world) and the poorest in the country. It's truly disheartening, but that is the reality.

The government should be able to create decent job opportunities and meet all its citizens' needs. In such a situation, people would be able to pursue education without the constant fear of not being able to eat. If formal and moral education, along with job opportunities, are guaranteed, a peaceful and safe environment –one that should be the norm– can be realized. Again, such a situation is unlikely to be achieved soon. Therefore, the best course of action is to optimize law enforcement and ensure fair and wise justice. If we cannot achieve an ideal situation, we can at least choose the lesser evil to bring about the common good.

To achieve this optimization, the government needs to implement substantial reforms. With the current mindset of law enforcement officers, ensuring justice is a difficult task. This is because their primary focus is not on protecting the people –as I mentioned earlier, security forces in Indonesia often act only after a tragedy has occurred. This is a sad irony for us, the Indonesian people –striving to live in a safe environment on our own without the help of those who are supposed to ensure it. It's like shouting in a crowd of deaf people. In conclusion, we can no longer rely on or look to law enforcement as the leading force in fighting crime. What we can do is offer support and assistance to those in need. Yes, being a good person is a choice –just as being the opposite is. Salve!