ABRI asked to be tough on troublemakers during polls

ABRI asked to be tough on troublemakers during polls

JAKARTA (JP): The President has instructed ABRI (Armed Forces) to take stern measures against those who try to break the rules in the implementation of the general election next year.

Speaking before participants of the recent two-day ABRI leadership meeting at a ceremony which took place at the State Palace yesterday the President also told the military leaders to protect those who deserve protection at the polls.

The ABRI leadership meeting, which discussed next year's general election and the sessions of the People's Consultative Assembly in 1998, was closed on Wednesday.

"The most important thing is that all the voters can exercise their democratic rights in peaceful conditions," Soeharto said.

Providing security for the general election means assuring the implementation of the poll in a peaceful and orderly manner, he said.

Besides speaking about the importance of the general election Soeharto, who is also ABRI's supreme commander, also instructed the generals to keep the meeting of the People's Consultative Assembly safe.

"The gathering is important," he said, "because the Assembly members will decide the guiding principles for the nation before it enters the 21st century."

The Assembly, which also has members of the House of Representatives among its members, meets every five year to elect a national president and vice-president and decide the guidelines of state policy for the next five years.

The President said that ABRI had the obligation to prevent the emergence of any elements which may disturb national unity.

"On the other hand, as a socio-political force, ABRI must help open the chances for the people to express their ideas and channel their creativity," he said.

Soeharto said in the efforts to improve its military tasks ABRI leaders should train all members professionally and see to it that no-one deviates from established procedures.

Reports said that last year several military officers were jailed by military tribunals for violating procedure which resulted in the death of three villagers in Irian Jaya and six captives in East Timor.

"ABRI members should also keep up their study of military law and the value of human rights," he said. "Human rights are in fact nothing new to the Indonesian Armed Forces," Soeharto added.

Before Soeharto delivered his speech, ABRI Commander Gen. Feisal Tanjung reported to the head of state that "security is under control, and military operations against armed gangs in East Timor, Irian Jaya and Aceh have been successful." (tis)