48 ABRI members face dismissal

48 ABRI members face dismissal

JAKARTA (JP): At least 48 Armed Forces (ABRI) personnel are
facing dismissal after they were allegedly caught consuming
Ecstasy pills.

National Military Police Commander Maj. Gen. Syamsu D. said
yesterday the personnel were arrested during a crackdown on
undisciplined ABRI members between January and September.

"Out of the number, three are first-grade officers
(lieutenants). The rest are noncommissioned officers (sergeants
and corporals) and low-ranking officers."

Syamsu said three of the suspects are Military Police
personnel, who are responsible for the supervision and control of
discipline among ABRI members.

"These three men should definitely be dismissed. There's no
excuse for them because their prime task is to uphold rules and
disciplines among ABRI members."

The fate of the remaining 45 would depend upon their
respective superiors, he said.

"I've reported all the cases to their superiors, including
chiefs of staff of the Army, Navy and Air Force and the National
Police chief, so they will be punished accordingly."

Law No. 5, issued this year on psychotropic substances, states
that those found guilty of consuming Ecstasy pills will be jailed
for up to four years, he said.

"In ABRI, those who're facing criminal charges, which carry a
penalty as low as four months, could be dismissed."

Therefore, based on ABRI's internal rules, all 48 personnel
could be dismissed by court-martial, he said.

Indonesia has about 480,000 ABRI members.

When Ecstasy became popular last year, some servicemen were
believed to be using Ecstasy and even distributing the drug.
Others have suffered drug overdoses and died after taking
Ecstasy.

Syamsu said the servicemen were charged after urine tests
proved they had consumed the drug.

"They won't be able to deny the charges."

Syamsu pledged to continue the operation, codenamed Operasi
Chandra Kamtib ABRI, and impose strict penalties on any
undisciplined officers.

After a routine ceremony at his office yesterday, he ordered
21 members of his staff -- most of whom are still in their 20s --
to undergo a urine test.

The test would identify any personnel who may have consumed
Ecstasy on the weekend, he said. The test results have not been
revealed. (bsr/cst)