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)