Changes to be made in Soeharto's security<\/p>\n
JAKARTA (JP): The special presidential security detachment
\nguarding Soeharto will be disbanded Monday, with protection for
\nthe former president to be assigned to a team from the Jakarta
\nMilitary Command.<\/p>\n
The 540-strong force from Group A of the Presidential Security
\nGuard (PASPAMPRES) will be dissolved and the soldiers returned to
\ntheir original units.<\/p>\n
Presidential Security Guard Commander Maj. Gen. E. Soetarto
\nsaid yesterday Soeharto would still receive the appropriate
\nsecurity protection required by state protocol.<\/p>\n
Soetarto indicated the decision to dissolve the unit was based
\non efficiency concerns.<\/p>\n
He pointed out it would be a ineffective to assign such highly
\ntrained soldiers when there was no acute threat.<\/p>\n
\"They have superior combat capability because we have a
\nspecial force trained to safeguard VVIPs, so it is regrettable if
\nwe let such an outstanding unit be 'jobless',\" Soetarto said
\nafter meeting with President B.J. Habibie at Bina Graha
\npresidential office.<\/p>\n
The 1,600-strong Presidential Security Guard command --
\nconsisting of troops from various units such as the Military
\nPolice, Army's Special Force and Strategic Reserves Command -- is
\ncategorized into three groups.<\/p>\n
Group A was assigned to protect Soeharto since he assumed the
\npresidency, Group B is in charge of the vice president and group
\nC for state guests.<\/p>\n
Group A, the most powerful of the three, continued serving
\nSoeharto although he handed over power to his vice president
\nHabibie on May 21.<\/p>\n
Habibie elected to have Group B remain in service with him,
\nsaying he felt more comfortable with the arrangement.<\/p>\n
Soeharto will also lose his three colonel adjutants from the
\nArmy, Navy and Air Force.<\/p>\n
The former president's six children and grandchildren also
\nenjoyed the privilege of security protection.<\/p>\n
Sources said Soeharto visited PASPAMPRES headquarters on Jl.
\nTanah Abang II, Central Jakarta, last week for Friday prayers at
\nthe mosque there.<\/p>\n
Reports circulated that Habibie was upset because he was not
\ninformed prior to the visit.<\/p>\n
\"It is not true that the President was furious about the
\nvisit,\" a palace official said.<\/p>\n
Separately yesterday, Jakarta Military Commander Maj. Gen.
\nDjadja Suparman said he had yet to make formal preparations about
\nthe security detachment for Soeharto.<\/p>\n
\"I have no real proposals yet on the new formation... But we
\nare ready when we are appointed for the task,\" Djaja said.
\n(prb\/ivy)<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/changes-to-be-made-in-soehartos-security-1447893297",
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"sponsor": "Okusi Associates",
"sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com"
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