Councilors divided on alert centers<\/p>\n
JAKARTA (JP): Councilors yesterday were divided on whether the
\nnew alert centers at district military commands would help
\ncitizens in trouble.<\/p>\n
Members of the ruling Golkar and United Development Party
\n(PPP) faction favored the centers, saying they would help in the
\nearly detection of problems.<\/p>\n
\"People should not be afraid to go to the centers, because
\nreports will be received not just by military officers, but city
\nofficials and informal leaders,\" Golkar member Zakiruddin Djamin
\nsaid. The reports would then be directed to the appropriate
\nbodies.<\/p>\n
The centers, opened last month, were intended to involve both
\nABRI and civilians in security matters, he said.<\/p>\n
PPP faction member M. Banang said the centers would not take
\nover the jobs of other offices or the council.<\/p>\n
\"And people would feel supported by the district military
\ncommand because their reports would be taken from the alert
\ncenters to the relevant officials,\" Banang said.<\/p>\n
The councilors said military district commands were the best
\nplace for alert centers to prevent problems turning into riots,
\nbecause their command structures could easily coordinate with
\ngovernment offices, Banang said.<\/p>\n
On Monday Jakarta Military Commander May. Gen. Sutiyoso urged
\nthe public to use the centers by calling the free 122 hotline or
\ngoing directly there.<\/p>\n
Meanwhile a councilor of the Indonesian Democratic Party
\nfaction, Romulus Sihombing, hinted officials would avoid doing
\ntheir jobs by unnecessarily directing people to the alert
\ncenters.<\/p>\n
\"As far as I know the centers only handle general security
\nissues that could lead to riots,\" Sihombing said.<\/p>\n
He said it was \"illogical\" to tell people with land problems
\nto report to the centers.<\/p>\n
He was referring to the fire victims of Kelapa Gading, North
\nJakarta, who were directed to their local alert center after
\nmeeting the head of the local public order office Monday.
\nSihombing said it was wrong of the official, Boy Firman, to tell
\nthe fire victims to report their land status claims to the local
\nalert center.<\/p>\n
Authorities have banned residents from rebuilding on the 1.4-
\nhectare plot because it is city asset. Firman said he could not
\ndeal with claims on land status as he was only authorized to
\nprevent building on city land.<\/p>\n
Sihombing said Firman should have helped the fire victims by
\nreporting to the mayor, who could coordinate matters with the
\nlocal office of the National Land Agency.<\/p>\n
A man claiming to have owned a building on the razed plot,
\nKiswanto, said four delegates had gone to the local alert center.
\nBut the people there told them not to complain about officials.
\n(anr\/11)<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/councilors-divided-on-alert-centers-1447893297",
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