Monday, May 19, 2008

Motor Gede, Kebangkitan Nasional, dan Wong Cilik


Sumber: Foto Kompas (18/5)




Bismillaahirrahmaanirrahiim.

Dengan segala hormat kepada almarhum Sophan Sophiaan

Sungguh berat rasanya membayangkan orang seidealis Mas Sophan yang harus menjadi ketua rombongan acara Tour Moge Merah-Putih di tengah suasana prihatin akan kenaikan harga dan kelangkaan BBM, serta kesulitan wong cilik saat seperti ini. Di jalan penuh lobang dan jepitan panjang kerusakan, moge itu akhirnya melintas dan meminta korban jiwa Bung Sophan yang di hari-hari akhirnya justru sedang bergelut dengan pemikiran-pemikiran bernas bagaimana menyelematkan bangsa ini dari berbagai keterpurukan. Mungkinkah pikiran-pikiran bernas dan renungan itu melintas ketika beliau tour dan membungkam konsentrasinya di atas jalan beraspal? Saya hanya berandai, dan semoga Allah menerima almarhum di sisiNya.
AMin ya rabbal alamin.

Dari tayangan di bbrpTV diperlihatkan rombongan juga menyanyikan lagu Indonesia Raya, namun tayangan itu membuat saya semakin sedih, karena ketahuan bahwa bangsa kita memang masih terbelakang, meski sudah kaya sekalipun. DImana-mana juga orang menyanyikan lagu kebangasaan dengan melepas topi, tetapi dari tayangan terlihat peserta moge banyak yang masih sedang pakai helm.

Salam prihatin

ES
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Monday, May 19, 2008

Abdul Khalik , The Jakarta Post , Jakarta

The family of actor and politician Sophan Sophiaan is being advised to sue the government over road damage that may have contributed to the accident that claimed his life Saturday.

Legal experts, lawmakers and non-governmental organizations said Sunday that Sophan's family could take the government to court for negligence and failure to protect its citizens, resulting in death.

"There is jurisprudence in citizens successfully suing the government because of negligence that resulted in an accident," prominent legal expert Frans H. Winarta said.

He said a civil lawsuit against the government could be based on Article 1367 and Article 1365 of the civil law on official malfeasance leading to an incident that claims a life.

Sophan, an award-winning actor, died Saturday in a motorcycle accident near the border between Ngawi in East Java and Sragen in Central Java. He was taking part in a motorcade across Java in celebration of National Awakening Day.

Police said Sophan fell from his Harley-Davidson motorcycle when trying to avoid a large pothole. The motorcycle fell on top of him, breaking his ribs, crushing his lungs and causing internal bleeding.

Several members of the House of Representatives also suggested the family of the victim pursue a lawsuit.

"Enough is enough. The government must be held responsible for the accident so that it fixes the roads, and we don't have to see more fatal accidents," said Ganjar Pranowo of the Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDI-P).

Lawmaker Mutammimul Ula of the Prosperous Justice Party (PKS) said legal action was necessary because many people had died in similar traffic accidents.

"The family can sue the government on behalf of Pak Sophan, or people along the border of Ngawi and Sragen can file a class action against the government if they think the damaged roads have endangered them," he said.

Potholes and damaged roads across the country have contributed to traffic accidents that kill thousands of people every year. In Jakarta, potholes created during the rainy season caused numerous accidents in February and March, in which dozens of motorists were killed, sparking public anger over poor road maintenance.

Aside from causing accidents, the potholes also hamper traffic flow and increase transportation costs for cargo vehicles.

Sophan, a former chairman of the PDI-P faction in the House, was buried Sunday at Tanah Kusir cemetery in South Jakarta. Thousands of people, including several ministers and lawmakers, attended the funeral.

Constitutional Court chief Jimly Asshiddiqqie led a prayer for Sophan before his burial, while President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono and First Lady Ani Yudhoyono visited the family's home in Bintaro Jaya, South Jakarta, on Saturday to pay their last respects.

"We have lost a great man, who was working to improve the country's sense of nationalism. I hope his spirit will be carried on," Yuhoyono said.

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