200 Kamra members to be sent abroad

200 Kamra members to be sent abroad

SURABAYA (JP): In response to the disrupting demonstrations
held by members of the police-sponsored civilian militia (Kamra)
who face unemployment after their working contract ends this
month, East Java governor Imam Utomo promised on Wednesday to
have 200 Kamra sent abroad as unskilled workers.

"For the first batch, as many as 200 Kamra members will be
sent to Malaysia. They are now being intensively trained in
various fields by the Ministry of Manpower office," the governor
told reporters, without revealing the date on which they would be
sent.

Waves of protest by hundreds of Kamra members have hit the
East Java capital of Surabaya recently. They first stormed the
East Java Police headquarters, and then targeted the
gubernatorial office. The third protest took place on Wednesday
when they marched to the provincial legislative council office to
question their future.

Responding to the demonstration, Imam said that he had also
asked businessmen and owners of factories, to help Kamra members
gain employment soon after their contract, with the Ministry of
Security and Defense, expires on Dec. 31.

"I've contacted many businessmen, asking them to hire Kamra
members especially as security guards. If each company takes one
Kamra person, we will have hundreds of Kamra members employed,"
he said.

There are around 6,000 Kamra members in East Java.

According to the governor, it is impossible for the
administration to recruit Kamra members as civil servants. "We
still have thousands of honorary workers hired in all
departments."

"We don't have any vacancies. With regional autonomy to be
implemented next year, many employees from Jakarta will spill
over into the regions. Kamra members must be patient."

Wednesday's demonstration at the provincial legislative
council office disrupted traffic. The Kamra members also blocked
the entrance gate of the building for two hours, forcing the
councilors to remain in or outside the office. They dispersed
after legislative council speaker Bisjri Abdul Djalil met them.

Kamra has demonstrated nationwide, querying their future. The
biggest demonstration was held in Yogyakarta last month, when
4,000 Kamra members from Java, Bali, East Nusa Tenggara and South
Sumatra gathered to ask for the government's account of their
fate.

Kamra was established last year under the initiative of the
then Minister of Security of Defense Gen. Wiranto.

The Armed Forces (ABRI) needed help in enforcing law and
restoring a sense of security among the public, Wiranto argued at
the time. (nur/sur)