The \"Operation Cleansing\" creates controversy<\/p>\n
JAKARTA (JP) The launching of Operasi Bersih (Operation
\nCleansing) to combat crimes in the Greater Jakarta area has
\ncreated controversy between the City Council and the Indonesian
\nLegal Aid Foundation.<\/p>\n
The Council yesterday voiced its support for the ongoing
\noperation, while the YLBHI called it an arrogant act of the
\nmilitary.<\/p>\n
Hendardi, spokesman for the YLBHI, yesterday said the
\noperation deviates from the existing Criminal Code procedures,
\nwhich stipulates that such an operation should be launched by the
\npolice force.<\/p>\n
\"There is a tendency for the Army to interfere with police
\nbusiness, and this will not make the police more professional in
\nhandling their duties,\" he told The Jakarta Post.<\/p>\n
According to Hendardi, the most rational way to eliminate
\ncrimes is not by launching such an operation, but by optimizing
\nthe police's capability to fight crimes and by narrowing the
\nwidening social gap.<\/p>\n
The anti-crime operation, which commenced on March 11,
\ninvolves personnel from the Army, the City Police Force, the
\nMarine Corps and the Air Force as well as officials from Jakarta,
\nTangerang and Bekasi.<\/p>\n
The United Development Party (PPP), the Indonesian Democratic
\nParty (PDI) and the ABRI faction voiced their full support at the
\nCity Council yesterday amid growing public concern over the
\noperation.<\/p>\n
Muhammad Rodja of the PPP said the mission of the operation
\nemphasizes \"back to family\" as it compels all children to be at
\nhome by midnight.<\/p>\n
\"I really appreciate what the commander is doing now. It's
\nreally nice of him to launch such an operation,\" Rodja said,
\nreferring to the Jakarta Military Commander Maj. Gen.
\nHendroprijono (Hendro).<\/p>\n
He noted that the joint operation should be supported by every
\nJakarta resident, especially parents who want to see their
\nchildren successful.<\/p>\n
\"It's every parent's duty to give advice to their children not
\nto loiter late at night and get drunk,\" Rodja stated.<\/p>\n
He reminded the authorities not to tolerate any violation, no
\nmatter how slight the violation may be, because it can undermine
\nthe military itself.<\/p>\n
Curfew<\/p>\n
Commenting on the curfew issue reported by a number of local
\npapers, Rodja said it is not easy to declare such a curfew
\nbecause it has specific criteria. Besides, imposing a curfew
\nwould create an image that the city is in a state of chaos.<\/p>\n
Hendro denounced reports that a curfew will be imposed amidst
\nrumors of racial riots hitting the city and said security is
\nunder control.<\/p>\n
With the rumors still spreading, unconfirmed reports said
\nracial riots occurred yesterday along Jl. Gajah Mada, Central
\nJakarta, which affected a number of Chinese Indonesian residents.<\/p>\n
Ismunandar of the PDI party noted that Operation Cleansing is
\nnecessary in the wake of increasing crimes and acts of violence.<\/p>\n
\"The number of crimes may be declining, but their nature tends
\nto exacerbate,\" he said, emphasizing a number of current criminal
\ncases such as the rape of a young girl and a robbery which
\nclaimed the live of one victim.<\/p>\n
Nawadji of the ABRI faction told reporters yesterday that the
\ninitial results of the operation show the clampdown on crimes has
\nbeen successful.<\/p>\n
In the first ten days of the operation, the authorities
\ncaptured almost 500 people and seized five firearms and more than
\n100 sharp weapons as well as 40.000 bottles of alcohol.<\/p>\n
Touching on the sale of alcoholic drinks, Nawadji said the
\ncity administration has issued a regulation on the matter, but
\nmost distributors do not abide by the regulation.<\/p>\n
Callers<\/p>\n
Meanwhile spokesman for the Jakarta Military Command, Lt. Col.
\nDidi Supandi, said the agency is still searching for mysterious
\ncallers who have spread rumors of racial riots gripping the city
\nWednesday and Thursday.<\/p>\n
\"Once they use private telephone lines, we can find the
\ncallers and then catch them,\" said Didi, adding that the
\nmysterious callers had used public telephones, which are quite
\ndifficult to be detected by the authorities.<\/p>\n
Didi said the widespread rumors of the racial riots are
\nprobably related to the ongoing anti-crime operation.<\/p>\n
\"Those spreading the rumors may have felt that the operation
\naffected their interests,\" Didi said.<\/p>\n
The spokesman reassured Jakartans that security in the city is
\nwell under control and that the public should remain calm in
\nspite of the rumors on the riots.(jsk\/09\/11)<\/p>",
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