Military 'handcuffed' by fear of rights abuse<\/p>\n
JAKARTA (JP): The fear of being accused of violating human
\nrights deters security personnel from forcefully handling unrest
\nand acting on other crimes, a senior researcher from the state
\nmilitary think tank said on Monday.<\/p>\n
Head of the National Resilience Board (Lemhanas)
\nimplementation research team, Budisantoso Suryosumarto, said law
\nenforcement measures could be construed by others as overly harsh
\n-- and result in huge protests condemning the actions.<\/p>\n
The problematic situation did not mean police, soldiers and
\nother security personnel should do nothing to fight the city's
\nsoaring crime wave, he added.<\/p>\n
\"Security authorities here should always show their good image
\nthrough upholding discipline and exacting stern punishment in
\naccordance with the law,\" the retired two-star Army general told
\nreporters after meeting with officials from the city development
\nplanning board at City Hall.<\/p>\n
In a situation when mobs had formed, he said, security
\nofficers should immediately cordon off areas in anticipation of
\ndisturbances.<\/p>\n
\"Don't wait until the crowd grows bigger,\" Budisantoso warned.<\/p>\n
City residents and crime victims have complained that security
\nofficers were absent or tardy in responding to the spate of riots
\naccompanied by assaults, looting and arson which have stunned the
\ncapital since last May.<\/p>\n
Conspicuously untouched were properties and shopping centers
\nwith tanks and military personnel in their compounds.<\/p>\n
Budisantoso believed the unrest and spate of crimes were
\nfomented by \"certain parties\" bent on tarnishing the authorities'
\nimage.<\/p>\n
As with other government officials, he refused to name the
\nparties or specify their overall agenda.<\/p>\n
\"To counter the threats, the Jakarta administration and its
\nsecurity officials should seriously handle any crimes based on
\nthe law,\" he said.<\/p>\n
Jakartans, like fellow city dwellers across the country, have
\nbeen subjected to months of anxiety, marked by toll road holdups,
\nrampant robberies, communal clashes and citizens taking the law
\ninto their own hands to lynch suspected criminals.<\/p>\n
Security personnel have been accused of being powerless or
\nindifferent to stopping the crimes.<\/p>\n
Few days before the Idul Fitri holiday, hundreds of kiosks at
\nthe usually busy Tanah Abang market in Central Jakarta were
\nabruptly closed by owners fearful of hoodlums incensed that their
\ndemands for money were rejected.<\/p>\n
Many Jakartans heading out of town for the holiday entrusted
\ntheir valuables to neighbors and friends due to the fear of
\nburglary of their unoccupied homes.<\/p>\n
Early on Sunday, a group of youths damaged two cars and set
\nfire to a motorcycle at Mal Kelapa Gading shopping center in
\nNorth Jakarta after being reprimanded by a mall security guard
\nfor racing their motorbikes in the area. (ind)<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/military-handcuffed-by-fear-of-rights-abuse-1447893297",
"image": ""
},
"sponsor": "Okusi Associates",
"sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com"
}