TNI gear up security for MPR session<\/p>\n
JAKARTA (JP): Indonesian Military (TNI) Commander Adm. Widodo
\nAdisucipto has called on all regional military commanders to help
\npolice maintain security in the run up to the General Session of
\nthe People's Consultative Assembly (MPR) in August.<\/p>\n
Widodo also said that the TNI would also concentrate on
\nhandling security in troubled areas in Aceh, Maluku, Irian Jaya
\nand Central Sulawesi so the regional matters would not disturb
\nthe session in Jakarta.<\/p>\n
\"In particular I have asked the Jakarta Military Commander to
\nback up the Jakarta Police to safeguard the capital during the
\nsession,\" he briefed members of the Supreme Advisory Council on
\nFriday.<\/p>\n
As requested by the Jakarta Police, the TNI has prepared 4,181
\npersonnel, comprising of six army battalions, two marine
\nbattalions and one battalion from the Air Force's Special
\nCommand.<\/p>\n
\"To anticipate security disturbances during the session, we
\nalso have reserved another 10 battalions for precautions and they
\nare ready to be deployed anytime the police need back up,\" Widodo
\nsaid.<\/p>\n
Widodo said the TNI was anticipating possible moves by certain
\ngroups that will use the session to instigate chaos in the
\ncapital and other parts of the country.<\/p>\n
However, Widodo stopped short of unveiling the groups.<\/p>\n
Jakarta Military Commander Maj. Gen. Ryamizard Ryacudu, who
\nalso attended the meeting, confirmed Widodo's suspicion that
\ncertain groups have planned to disrupt the annual session, but so
\nfar he could not identify them.<\/p>\n
\"I don't know who they are, but the TNI Headquarters has their
\nidentification,\" Ryamizard remarked.<\/p>\n
The Assembly annual session will be held from Aug. 7 through
\nto Aug. 18 to hear the President's progress report and endorse
\nconstitutional amendements.<\/p>\n
Troubled areas<\/p>\n
In the consultation meeting, Widodo also explained the latest
\ndevelopment of security conditions in the troubled provinces of
\nAceh, Maluku and North Maluku, and Irian Jaya.<\/p>\n
On the Aceh issue, Widodo said the implementation of three
\nmonths of the humanitarian pause has proven to bring peace to the
\nregion but should be prolonged for the next three months.<\/p>\n
However, the government should consider a new approach and
\ntake political measures to settle the Aceh issue as there are
\nstill Free Aceh Movement (GAM) efforts to force a state of
\nfreedom in the region, Widodo said.<\/p>\n
\"Somehow GAM has manipulated the humanitarian pause to conduct
\nintimidation, terrorize civilians and consolidate their strength
\nalong with building national and international opinion to support
\nthem,\" Widodo said.<\/p>\n
The GAM activities included provoking people to flee their
\nhomes, forcing the replacement of several village chiefs,
\ncontinuing the training and recruitment of armed civilians and
\nhoisting the GAM flags in several areas.<\/p>\n
\"We need to push for a political settlement in Aceh because a
\nsecurity settlement is not sufficient enough to cope with the
\nproblems,\" he added.<\/p>\n
In regards to the situation in Irian Jaya, Widodo said there
\nare no serious security disturbances except for a separatist
\nmovement supported by the Melanesian Brotherhood Solidarity
\n(MBS).<\/p>\n
\"The government should watch out for this movement because
\nthis will bring vast side effects, as there will be mounting
\nnational and international pressure on us over the problems,\"
\nWidodo said.<\/p>\n
On the Maluku issue, Widodo said a conducive condition has
\nbeen established in the region and the military has managed to
\ncalm the area, thanks to the imposition of the civil emergency in
\nthe territory on June 27.<\/p>\n
\"But we still have to be cautious as the two warring groups
\nare mostly separated only by a small path or river, so any small
\nincident may cause further clashes,\" he added.<\/p>\n
Widodo said that in reference to the issue of impartiality in
\nthe military, Army troops always try to deal with both sides in
\nevery clash and do not only focus on the attackers.<\/p>\n
\"We are also intensifying raids and sea blockades to prevent
\ngun smuggling. There is proof that the outsiders who came in the
\nname of humanity eventually provoked more incidents,\" Widodo
\nsaid.(dja)<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/tni-gear-up-security-for-mpr-session-1447893297",
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"sponsor": "Okusi Associates",
"sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com"
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