Indonesia is a country where children underage is often seen
driving a vehicle, 10 year olds riding a motorcycle on a very busy road is
something that we see everyday. Middle school children riding motorcycle to
school and high school students driving a car to school. I truly doubt that
they own their driving license. It might seem cool for them and their friends,
but the consequences that they get are not worth it. Abdul Qodir Jaelani is son
of a famous Indonesian rock star. He learnt that driving underage is not a good
thing to do; he just received his consequence a few months ago. He killed 7
people on an accident he caused in the Jagorawi Highway, leaving the children
of the victims that died orphaned and confused. But is it possible for a child
underage to drive a car without the parent’s acknowledgement? It is not
possible. Therefore I agree that the father of the 13-year-old Abdul Qodir
Jaelani should be blamed.
People say that 13 years old is an age where a child starts
to grow up. They are supposed to know right from wrong. Dul, as everyone calls
him, is already old enough to realize that driving is not a right thing to do
in his age. His mental is not yet stable enough to control when something
suddenly happen. Just like in this accident he lost control of the car, his
mind is not grown enough to make the right decision. He ends up crashing to the
barrier and hit two cars, killing 7 adults in the process. Nonetheless, driving
it not a small thing. It is not something that a child can hide from the
parents. Especially considering the fact that Dhani, the father, provides a car
for Dul himself. Although it is stated that he provides a driver as well, the
driver went on holiday the day of the accident happen. And drivers must have
asked their boss before going on a holiday. Seeing another fact that Al, Dul’s
older brother, is allowed to drive by his father without a driving license. This shows the mindset of Dhani that clearly supports his sons to drive underage.
The facts state that Dul ran away from his house to hang out
with his friends although he was supposed to attend Judika’s wedding. For the
whole time he turned off his cellphone, therefore he was unable to be contacted. This fact is backed up by Dul’s girlfriend,
Fajrina Khairiza. They hang out together with two other friends, Naufal and
Diva. Naufal is badly injured because of the accident. While Diva and Arin (Dul's girlfriend) was
already dropped in their own houses. However, as a parent Dhani should have taken
more action towards this issue. He could have chased and picked Dul up in the
mall or try contacting his friends and the parents of his friends. There is no
reason for Dhani not to try preventing Dul from running away. Dul is very
spoiled by Dhani, making Dul think that he can do anything he wants. Causing
danger to his friends. And anyway, Dul is still 13 years old and is left to his father’s custody. Dhani is still fully responsible of Dul.
Dhani should have been more responsible of his son and his
attitude. He should have not spoiled them too much and letting them live their
luxury too much. Because once the wheel of life turns and they cannot afford
the luxury anymore, they will have a hard time adjusting themselves. The life of
freedom and spoilt have led Dul to a disastrous accident. Causing lives to fly
and leave their vessels. If Dul is punished, he will be sent to jail. Jail is
not a safe place grow up, with all the violence, bullying, and harassment that
will happen everyday. Not to mention the lack of nutrition, education and
proper place to sleep. All of this could have been prevented with a right moral
education from the parents. In this case, Dhani, because of the divorce from
his wife a few years back. The custody of their three sons were in his hands,
making him responsible for all of them that is growing to adulthood right now.
Being an adolescent is not an easy thing, parents are supposed to guide and
help children to go to the right direction.
In conclusion, the father of Abdul Qodir Jaelani should be
blamed. He is still fully responsible of the underage Dul that is under his
custody. We cannot blame everything on the child because this will impact badly
to the psychology of the child; since he did things that are taught by his
father since he was young. His father is Ahmad Dhani, which should be blamed
for this accident that killed 7 people.
