Jakarta – Djubaidah had to charter a public minivan to help her carry a sack of 80 pairs of rubber sandals that she collected to the National Child Protection Commission's (KPAI) office on Jl. Teuku Umar, Central Jakarta, on Tuesday.
The 60-year-old woman – who was accompanied by her children and several relatives – traveled seven kilometers from her home in South Utan Kayu, East Jakarta, to take part in a nationwide campaign against police injustice initiated by several NGOs, including the KPAI.
Djubaidah said she collected the flip-flops for the KPAI out of concern for what happened to A.A.L., the 15-year-old boy detained and beaten by the Central Sulawesi Police and currently facing five years' imprisonment – all for allegedly stealing a police officer's flip-flops.
"It's clear to me that only a few people who have money can enjoy justice in this country," Djubaidah, who sells snacks out of her home, said.
Even common people like her, Djubaidah said, could understand that the country's legal system has not been working properly, as could be seen by the number of high-profile corruptors who have been given lenient sentences.
Djubaidah said she received backing from her neighbors while collecting the sandals over the last three days. "Some of them are mine, but some are contributions from my neighbors who strongly supported me."
Djubaidah is not the only citizen concerned about justice. Others have joined the KPAI's campaign or taken to social media to show their support.
The KPAI wants to collect 1,000 pairs of sandals, which it promised to forward to National Police chief Gen. Timur Pradopo to protest to police injustice in the case.
Those donating their flip-flops come from a host of different backgrounds, ranging from students to becak (pedicab) drivers. The campaign has expanded from Greater Jakarta to other parts of the archipelago, including Surakarta, Central Java; Palu, Central Sulawesi; and Palembang, South Sumatra.
Hadi Nitiharjo, director of SOS Children's Village in Cibubur, East Jakarta, said he joined the campaign to raise the awareness of judges, prosecutors and law-enforcement officers that they were far from being just in pursuing such a small case.
"There are 1,000 different ways to teach a boy a lesson. It should not be by punishing him with a prison sentence. Moreover, there are much bigger and more substantial cases to be solved in this country," he said.
Muhammad Joni from the National Commission for Child Protection said the case demonstrated that many interests were hindering the law. "In theory, a crime should include the substance of an act against the law. In this case, there is no such substance," Joni, also a lawyer, said.
A.A.L.'s trial is underway at the Palu District Court. A second session is scheduled for Wednesday.
The two officers who alleged that A.A.L was a thief – and then beat him while in custody – First Brig. Simson Jones Sipayung and First Brig. Ahmad Rusdi Harahap, have been sentenced to 21 days' incarceration. The officers also had their promotions delayed for one year. (rpt)