Jakartans divided over Sutiyoso's shoot-on-sight order<\/p>\n
JAKARTA (JP): Human rights activists, businessmen and
\nresidents expressed alarm over the city military's shoot-on-sight
\norder, while a legislator said it was reasonable.<\/p>\n
The critics said yesterday the order issued on Tuesday by
\nJakarta Military Commander Maj. Gen. Sutiyoso had raised new
\nfears among residents, who were still nervous after Saturday's
\nstreet violence.<\/p>\n
Sutiyoso had stressed, however, that the order would be a last
\nmeasure if rioters got out of control.<\/p>\n
A statement released yesterday by the Indonesian Legal Aid
\nFoundation said the order violates the basic legal presumption of
\ninnocence.<\/p>\n
Chairman Bambang Wijoyanto urged Maj. Gen. Sutiyoso to
\nimmediately withdraw his order to prevent new tension.<\/p>\n
However, a noted legislator said the order is necessary to
\navoid further chaos.<\/p>\n
Aisyah Aminy, who heads Commission I for foreign affairs,
\ndefense and information, echoed Sutiyoso, who said ABRI has
\ntolerated the violence long enough.<\/p>\n
The military's patience was visible in the riots, when only
\nrattan sticks were used instead of guns, she said.<\/p>\n
\"In securing the locations of Jl. Matraman, Jl. Diponegoro and
\nJl. Salemba Raya, even these actions can be considered too slow,\"
\nAisyah said.<\/p>\n
However Aisyah, as quoted by the Antara news agency, called
\nfor extreme caution in executing Sutiyoso's order.<\/p>\n
\"The army must be very careful to differentiate rioters and
\npedestrians,\" she said.<\/p>\n
\"How could the military issue such an order when everything is
\nsure to be fine?\" an executive of a widely-diversified business
\ngroup said, expressing confidence that the danger perceived by
\nthe military had receded.<\/p>\n
\"Haven't they ever considered that the order could create new,
\nserious problems?\" asked the businessman, who refused to be
\nnamed.<\/p>\n
Randy, an owner of an electronics shop in Glodok, West
\nJakarta, said people are afraid when they see soldiers at every
\nlocation.<\/p>\n
\"This new shoot-on-the-spot order makes us feel as if we are
\nliving in a war zone,\" Randy said.<\/p>\n
As of yesterday, armed soldiers were seen on guard at certain
\nplaces and buildings on several main roads.<\/p>\n
Although the number was visibly less than the previous days,
\ntheir presence still created tension among the people.<\/p>\n
A number of police from the elite forces were also seen on
\nguard around the disputed headquarters of the Indonesian
\nDemocratic Party on Jl. Diponegoro, Central Jakarta.<\/p>\n
They were equipped with guns at their sides, a marked
\ndifference from the previous days when they only had batons and
\nshields to face rioters.<\/p>\n
An officer said they were armed since Sutiyoso issued the
\norder.<\/p>\n
Housewife Irawati said the order could easily lead to the
\nshooting of the wrong people.<\/p>\n
\"The armed soldiers on the streets are probably tired and are
\nnot likely to be able to control their emotions,\" she said.<\/p>\n
Students said the order was just a psychological ploy to help
\ncalm down the situation.<\/p>\n
\"I bet nobody would dare take a great risk by shooting even a
\nsingle rioter,\" Didik, a student of a private university, said.
\n(bsr\/anr)<\/p>",
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