Legislators cautious over shoot-on-sight order<\/p>\n
JAKARTA (JP): Legislators responded cautiously yesterday to a
\nwarning from Armed Forces Chief Gen. Feisal Tanjung that security
\nofficers had been ordered to shoot rioters on sight.<\/p>\n
The House of Representatives members said that such a stern
\nmeasure should follow legal procedures and serve only as a last
\nresort if other measures had failed.<\/p>\n
\"I don't think security personnel would take such severe
\naction if there were other options available to handle riots.
\nOpening fire is simply shock therapy,\" First Marshal Tjokong
\nTarigan of the Armed Forces faction was quoted by Antara as
\nsaying.<\/p>\n
The violent incidents that rocked the country in the last few
\nmonths prompted Feisal to consider last week allowing security
\nofficers to open fire if such unrest was repeated in the run-up
\nto the May 29 general election.<\/p>\n
Tarigan said that security forces must abide by the law,
\nmilitary doctrines and the state ideology Pancasila, all of which
\nacknowledge human rights.<\/p>\n
In Indonesia, the Armed Forces comprises the Army, Navy, Air
\nForce and Police.<\/p>\n
Tarigan called for the security apparatus to enhance its
\ndevotion to the national disciplinary drive launched by President
\nSoeharto two years ago.<\/p>\n
\"We live in a country which abides by the rule of law. As a
\nconsequence, the security forces must restrain themselves from
\nabusing their power,\" Tarigan said.<\/p>\n
Jusuf Rizal Tjokroaminoto of the United Development Party
\nagreed with Tarigan, saying that even a suspect deserves
\nprotection under the law.<\/p>\n
\"There is no evidence yet that those riots had anything to do
\nwith the general election,\" Jusuf said.<\/p>\n
He reminded security officials not to issue warnings too
\nreadily, on the grounds that it would only lead to unexpected
\npublic excesses.<\/p>\n
\"We have to learn from the recent riots, in which people's
\ntongues played a pivotal role.\"<\/p>\n
He said he believed that nobody would spark riots because the
\ngovernment had asked the public to take part in the election.<\/p>\n
Chairman of the dominant Golkar faction Moestahid Astari
\nagreed with Feisal's statement, saying that it could serve as an
\nearly warning against those considering disrupting the election.<\/p>\n
\"There's nothing special about the order to shoot criminals on
\nsight. The Armed Forces chief's warning is a preventive measure
\nwhich forces people to think of the risks of inciting riots,\"
\nMoestahid said.<\/p>\n
He added that the order could only be executed in accordance
\nwith legal procedures.<\/p>\n
A member of the Indonesian Democratic Party faction, Budi
\nHardjono, called on the Armed Forces to carry out thorough
\ndeliberations on all matters dealing with its security role
\nduring the election.<\/p>\n
\"It would be better if all political groups advise their
\nsupporters of the risks of violating the regulations,\" Budi said.
\n(amd)<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/legislators-cautious-over-shoot-on-sight-order-1447893297",
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