426 guns handed in by retired officers

JAKARTA (JP): The Jakarta military command has retrieved 426 guns of various makes following its appeal to ex-servicemen to hand in their weapons in an effort to help curb armed robberies and murders in the city and its outskirts.

The 426 guns, from revolvers to FN and AK assault rifles, were voluntarily handed in by retired Army, Navy, Air Force and Police officers.

Jakarta Military Commander Maj. Gen. Sutiyoso said that 53 weapons were received from retired Army officers, 13 from the Navy, 54 from the Air Force, and the remaining 306 from retired Police officers.

"This is extraordinary. We fully appreciate the positive response given by the ex-servicemen to the appeal," he said after attending a reorganization ceremony for the Army's special force, Kopassus, in Cijantung, East Jakarta yesterday.

Sutiyoso said the military command would continue its appeal for former soldiers to hand in their weapons.

"Many more ex-servicemen, including retired high-ranking officers, have yet to give up their guns," he said.

Most of the men who handed back their weapons were retired colonels and lieutenant colonels. Three former generals -- Maj. Gen. (ret) Eddy M. Nalapraya, Maj. Gen. Bambang Sinaruju and late vice admiral Koentowibisono (represented by his wife) -- have handed their guns back to the military command.

Sutiyoso said he would extend the appeal to civilians who possess any kind of gun.

"Many residents in the city are believed to keep some guns as a collection. They, however, should know that the guns could be misused, or stolen by irresponsible people to commit a crime," he said, citing a law allowing only hunters to own guns.

The military command made its appeal following an armed robbery of a supermarket in April by the relatives of a retired serviceman. (rms)