Riau Malay Legion refuses to disband<\/p>\n
PEKANBARU, Riau: The Riau Malay Legion, a militia organization
\nin Riau province, said on Monday that it would not comply with
\nthe call by Indonesian Military (TNI) chief Gen. Endriartono
\nSutarto for all civilian legions to dissolve themselves.<\/p>\n
Legion commander Asman Yunus told journalists that his
\norganization would not dissolve itself because the police had not
\nbeen able to establish with the public a sense of security,
\nparticularly the Riau Malays.<\/p>\n
\"The legion was not established to intimidate the people, but
\nto help the police promote security and order in the province,\"
\nhe said.<\/p>\n
He noted that no legion members were allowed to carry firearms
\nor sharp weapons.<\/p>\n
Asman disclosed that his legion was set up to help protect
\nRiau Malay leaders and the province's natural resources, because
\nRiau had always been exploited by irresponsible people, while the
\npublic had been neglected.<\/p>\n
He also pointed out that it had not been made clear which of
\nthe civilian legions should dissolve themselves, and which could
\nbe allowed to survive.<\/p>\n
\"If the call were directed at armed legions, that would be
\nunderstandable. However, the Riau Malay Legion has never armed
\nitself,\" he said.<\/p>\n
The government has warmly welcomed the decision of Laskar?
\nJihad to disband itself last month and to recall its members from
\nthe country's conflict areas, particularly Ambon, Maluku province
\nand Poso, Central Sulawesi. --Antara<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/riau-malay-legion-refuses-to-disband-1447893297",
"image": ""
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"sponsor": "Okusi Associates",
"sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com"
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