Mega criticized over her comments on armed militias<\/p>\n
Tiarma Siboro, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta<\/p>\n
Experts criticized President Soekarnoputri on Wednesday for
\nsupporting the establishment of citizens' defense groups, saying
\nthat such moves would only heighten fanaticism and the culture of
\nviolence in society.<\/p>\n
Sociologist Iman B. Prasodjo from the University of Indonesia
\nsaid the establishment of armed civilian groups had triggered
\nviolence in society as such groups tended to repress the people,
\nrather than protect them.<\/p>\n
\"I suggest the President proposes the establishment of boy
\nscout units rather than vigilante groups because the former
\npromote humanism,\" Iman told The Jakarta Post on Wednesday.<\/p>\n
Imam expressed worries that the establishment of militias
\nwould create fertile ground for gangsters and thugs, who
\nthroughout Indonesian history have often ended up controlling
\nsuch groups.<\/p>\n
He further warned that the formation of such groups could lead
\nto the disintegration of the country should they be based on
\nreligion, race or geographical territory.<\/p>\n
On Thursday, Megawati defended the existence of armed civilian
\ngroups, arguing that they helped protect the people from
\nlawlessness, especially in conflict-torn areas.<\/p>\n
Many believe that the military is backing the existence of
\nmilitias in several conflict areas in the country, such as Aceh.
\nCritics have said that these armed civilian groups have only led
\nto worsening security in the areas where they operate.<\/p>\n
Megawati claimed the presence of civilian armed groups was
\nmandated by Article 30 of the newly amended 1945 Constitution.
\nThis article says the country applies a defense system that is
\nbased on popular participation.<\/p>\n
She made it clear that the existence of these civilian defense
\ngroups or militias would allow the police to focus on other, more
\npressing problems.<\/p>\n
Her remarks contradicted the recent white paper on defense
\nstrategy, which called for the dissolution of all militias,
\nespecially armed groups.<\/p>\n
The presence of armed civilian groups, according to the white
\npaper, will only destroy order in the country.<\/p>\n
The white paper was authored by the Ministry of Defense, and
\nwas published in April this year.<\/p>\n
Criminologist Purnianti voiced a similar view, saying that the
\nallocation of security duties among the military, police and the
\nmilitias would only create public distrust and threaten the
\ncountry's national defense.<\/p>\n
\"Public participation does not mean that the government has
\nthe authority to mobilize people to take over security duties,\"
\nPurnianti told the Post.<\/p>\n
Minister of Defense Matori Abdul Djalil and the Indonesian
\nMilitary (TNI) chief Gen. Endriartono Sutarto had previously
\ncalled for the dissolution of armed civilian groups, including
\nthose associated with political parties, saying that their
\npresence provided no benefit to the country.<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/mega-criticized-over-her-comments-on-armed-militias-1447893297",
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"sponsor": "Okusi Associates",
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