“Good customs and manners help prevent people from violating and breaking the law.”
By: Prof. Otto Cornelis Kaligis
A thief told his group about his success in stealing a large amount of property belonging to a very rich man who had left his house empty for the holidays.
Afraid of losing his reputation, another fellow also told of his “success” in raping a wife while she was alone at home because her husband was away for several days.
Every group of criminal perpetrators has its own perceived “success” in committing criminal acts.
Days later, the same thief experienced that his house was forcibly entered, and nearly all his belongings were stolen.
The other group member also had a very tragic experience: his wife was raped and later found dead. After raping her, the perpetrator killed her and discarded her body in the underbrush.
Both victims the thief whose property was stolen and the husband who lost his beloved wife—felt that the perpetrators should be killed as an act of revenge.
From the two examples narrated above, we can conclude that every person realizes that criminal acts should be forbidden.
Both the thief and the rapist planned acts of revenge, proving that their previous actions stealing and raping are indeed criminal.
I describe this story before Christmas, recalling the message delivered by the angels to the shepherds: “Et in terra pax hominibus bonae voluntatis” – “Peace on earth to people of good will.”
Every criminal act that occurs in this world begins with human will (mens rea).
Criminal acts do not originate from a piece of paper but from within the human being. I therefore connect criminal acts with morality meaning manners, character, and behavior and with ethics, meaning morals, character, and customs.
“Love thy neighbor” (Kasihi sesamamu, kasihi tetanggamu) is a religious and moral principle with profound meaning, instructing us to treat others with love and respect, as taught by Jesus the Savior as a primary commandment.
Universal morality transcends religion and is valid as a basic principle of ethics, empathy, justice, and social responsibility that should be implemented toward others, family, friends, and neighbors.
Good customs and manners help prevent people from violating and breaking the law.
Aristotle defines ethics as follows: “The study of character (virtue) aimed at achieving human flourishing or happiness, attained by acting rationally and developing virtuous habits (moral virtues) as a golden mean between extremes, guided by practical wisdom. It is a character-based system, emphasizing how to be a good person through practice and habituation, not merely by following rules, leading to a life of excellence and well-being.”
All law enforcement personnel must set examples of proper behavior and ethics; therefore, not only will law enforcement become a more ethical profession, but society as a whole will become more ethical as well (J. Kevin Grant).
Biblical verse on morality: “You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall not kill; and whoever kills shall be liable to judgment’” (Matthew 5:21).
Jakarta, December 15, 2025
*The author is a senior lawyer who remains actively engaged in writing books, particularly on legal subjects
