Security intact in Jakarta amid rumors: Ryamizard<\/p>\n
BOGOR (JP): With rumors rife that religious conflicts in the
\nEastern islands may spread to the capital, Jakarta Military
\nCommander Maj. Gen. Ryamizard Ryacudu said on Wednesday the city
\nremained under control.<\/p>\n
\"Our intelligence unit remains good. It is still capable of
\ndetecting any threats to the city's security and order, such as
\nbomb hoaxes or mass concentrations of people,\" Ryamizard told
\nreporters after addressing the opening ceremony of a joint basic
\nmilitary training for units under the Jakarta Military Command's
\nsupervision in Ciampea district.<\/p>\n
He was commenting on potential religious unrest in the city,
\nhaving noted that many Maluku people, both Christian and Muslim,
\nlive in Jakarta.<\/p>\n
Rumors of religious conflict spreading to Jakarta caused
\nIndonesian share prices to plunge by 4.3 percent on Wednesday.<\/p>\n
Dealers said offshore banks started selling their rupiah on
\nrumors that Muslims planned to burn churches and Christian
\nschools in Jakarta in reaction to the conflict in the islands of
\nMaluku.<\/p>\n
The Maluku conflict, which broke last year, has claimed over
\n2,000 lives and sent thousands more seeking refuge in other
\nprovinces.<\/p>\n
Ryamizard said maintaining security in the city was not a
\nmajor responsibility of the military command, as constitutionally
\nit was the police's role.<\/p>\n
\"Yet, we'll support the city police by providing them with
\nintelligence information in the their bid to prevent any unrest
\nerupting in the city,\" the two-star general said.<\/p>\n
As of April 1 last year, the National Police separated from
\nthe Indonesia Military (TNI). The police force is now under the
\nsupervision of the Ministry of Defense and Security, while
\nwaiting to become an autonomous force.<\/p>\n
In respect of the National Police's new status, the military
\nhas pledged to withdraw its former key role in maintaining order
\nand security in the country, and eventually hand it over
\ncompletely to the police.<\/p>\n
While incidents of unrest in Maluku have recently been
\ndecreasing, fresh violence hit the West Nusa Tenggara capital of
\nMataram on Monday.<\/p>\n
At least one man has died, dozens of churches and places of
\nworship torched or damaged and 15 kiosks and houses ransacked.<\/p>\n
National political figures Amien Rais and Akbar Tandjung have
\ncalled on people not to hold any mass gatherings, fearing that
\nthey could turn violent, since large groups were an easy target
\nfor provocateurs.<\/p>\n
Stern actions<\/p>\n
Ryamizard said the city's military command would keenly
\nobserve any large rallies or gatherings in the city.<\/p>\n
\"Large rallies will not be not banned. But if the crowds turn
\nviolent and uncontrolled, we will take stern action against
\nthem,\" he said.<\/p>\n
Separately, city police chief Maj. Gen. Noegroho Djajoesman
\nsaid on Wednesday he would do his best to prevent any similar
\nreligious unrest in the capital.<\/p>\n
\"I will maintain good relations with the Ambonese preman
\n(hoodlums) who, for a price, secure certain areas in the capital.<\/p>\n
\"I have met up with some of them, and told them to maintain
\npeace among the Indonesians in their neighborhoods and not to
\nprovoke any fights. I want peace in this capital, no matter what
\nbreaks out in Ambon,\" Noegroho told reporters at Jakarta Police
\nHeadquarters.<\/p>\n
\"I have also commanded my officers to arrest any provocateurs
\nwho might want to breach the peace in my capital. There should be
\nno fights based on anything here. It is just wrong.\"<\/p>\n
\"I urge all my city residents to stay out of arguments and
\npetty fights. Don't indulge in them.\"<\/p>\n
Two hundred and fifty middle-ranking commanders are taking
\npart in the basic military training that is being held over three
\ndays.<\/p>\n
The commanders, with a minimum rank of platoon or military
\nsubprecinct chief, will be reintroduced to basic military
\nexercises to refresh their combat ability, and given lectures on
\nhuman rights and illegal drug use.<\/p>\n
Ryamizard said the training exercises were meant to teach the
\nmilitary personnel how to become professional soldiers and
\ndistance themselves from politics.<\/p>\n
\"The duties of soldiers are to safeguard the country, not to
\nget engaged in politics,\" he said.<\/p>\n
He said the exercises were also aimed at enhancing
\ncohesiveness within the Jakarta Military Command.<\/p>\n
\"The military training is intended to increase unity,
\ntogetherness and loyalty among military units,\" he said.<\/p>\n
The Army Chief of Staff Gen. Tyasno Sudarto is scheduled to
\nobserve the training sessions on Thursday. (asa\/ylt\/imn)<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/security-intact-in-jakarta-amid-rumors-ryamizard-1447893297",
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