Upset Kamra leave Jakarta, plan response<\/p>\n
JAKARTA (JP): Angry with the government, approximately 1,000
\nPeople's Security Militia (Kamra) members from Central Java left
\nthe capital for their hometowns on Thursday, pledging to do
\n\"something\" to express their dissatisfaction.<\/p>\n
\"Let's see what we'll do back home,\" Putut Edi Sutrisno, a
\nleader of the group, said as he broke into tears after meeting
\nwith related government ministers and a senior member of the
\nHouse of Representatives.<\/p>\n
Putut added: \"There are more than 5,000 Kamra members in
\nCentral Java that will be disappointed by the decision. I will
\nnot guarantee their disappointment will not turn ugly.\"<\/p>\n
The members of the group had demanded to be allowed to apply
\nfor positions with the police or military, a demand that was
\nrejected. The government instead offered the group 150 vacant
\noverseas jobs, or the chance to register with provincial
\ntransmigration offices to take part in the government-sponsored
\ntransmigration scheme.<\/p>\n
The administration, after a brief meeting with a senior member
\nof the House, decided on Thursday to dissolve Kamra and give each
\nmember Rp 1 million (US$105), or about four times their monthly
\nsalary. There are 36,000 Kamra personnel nationwide.<\/p>\n
Initially, the government planned to disband Kamra on
\nWednesday.<\/p>\n
In the meeting with House Deputy Speaker Sutardjo
\nSoerjoguritno the government was represented by Minister of
\nDefense Mahfud M.D., Minister of Manpower and Transmigration
\nAlhilal Hamdi and National Police deputy chief Insp. Gen. Pandji
\nAtmasudirdja.<\/p>\n
Five Kamra representatives, including Putut, also took part in
\nthe 90-minute meeting at the House.<\/p>\n
After the meeting, Sutardjo explained the details of the
\ngovernment's decision to the five Kamra representatives and
\njournalists.<\/p>\n
After the announcement, Putut began to scream and cry, leaving
\nall those in the room, including the two ministers, in stunned
\nsilence.<\/p>\n
Seconds later, Sutardjo and all of the government officials
\nleft the room.<\/p>\n
According to Mahfud, the government has decided to dissolve
\nKamra on Friday. The decision will be put into practice when
\nceremonies are simultaneously held in every police precinct and
\nsubprecinct across the country.<\/p>\n
After being officially dismissed, each Kamra member will
\nreceive their Rp 1 million compensation.<\/p>\n
The Central Java Kamra members, who arrived in Jakarta on
\nSaturday, left for home aboard a Sapujagat train provided by the
\ngovernment.<\/p>\n
Kamra was established in 1998 during the tenure of then
\ndefense minister and armed forces chief Gen. (ret) Wiranto. The
\ngroup was formed as part of the plan to bolster security in the
\ncountry. (byg\/02)<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/upset-kamra-leave-jakarta-plan-response-1447893297",
"image": ""
},
"sponsor": "Okusi Associates",
"sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com"
}