Army chief reactivates battalion in Binjai

Apriadi Gunawan, The Jakarta Post, Binjai, North Sumatra

Army Chief of Staff Gen. Ryamizard Ryacudu reactivated the Binjai Battalion in North Sumatra on Saturday after a five-month period of inactivity following a clash between Army personnel and police personnel that killed 12 people, including two civilians.

Ryamizard said the revival of the battalion was based on the needs of the Indonesian Military (TNI).

"The TNI is still in need of some 100 battalions, and so based on that consideration we have reactivated the Infantry 100 Battalion," Ryamizard said in Binjai on Saturday.

He also appointed Lt. Col. Irmansyah as the battalion's commander.

The Binjai Battalion, which was called the Airborne 100/PS, was deactivated in October 2002 following a deadly clash between soldiers from the battalion and the local police. At least 12 people, including two civilians, were killed and dozens of others injured in the incident, which was triggered by the police's refusal to release a drug dealer.

Twenty soldiers were dishonorably discharged and brought to trial for their involvement in the clash, 19 of whom have been sentenced to up to three years in prison. Another soldier who was discharged has not yet been tried because he is still recovering from a gunshot wound he suffered in the violence.

Ryamizard said the battalion would temporarily be called the Infantry 100 and would assume its new name, Raiders 100, in three months, when new troops assigned to the battalion had completed their training.

Troops for the revived battalion were recruited from military commands around the country.

"Almost 95 percent of the troops were recruited from battalions across the country after undergoing a series of screenings," he said.

One battalion consists of between 450 and 750 troops.

Ryamizard said that although the troops already had been strenuously screened, they would still be required to complete three months of training to ensure they were qualified to become Raiders.

Ryamizard instructed battalion members to read and understand military regulations and to increase their professionalism in order to be prepared for future challenges, and to develop harmonious relations with fellow servicemen.

"Past experiences should serve as lessons so we do not repeat them. Develop harmonious relations with colleagues in order to be loved by the people," Ryamizard said during the ceremony marking the reopening of the battalion at Namu Sira-Sira, Binjai, some 25 kilometers west of the provincial capital of Medan.

He was accompanied by Bukit Barisan Military Commander Maj. Gen. Tri Tamtomo.

During the ceremony, Ryamizard spoke with troops from the battalion. Three of the soldiers drew the general's attention to their welfare, housing for soldiers and communication facilities.

"We are in dire need of communication facilities to ensure easy coordination with the Bukit Barisan Military Command and to communicate with our families," said First Pvt. Suwardi, who was previously assigned to the Jakarta Military Command.

Immediately after last year's violence, Ryamizard had said the battalion would be suspended for at least one year. However, he later amended this statement, saying the Army could not afford to be without the unit for that long.

"The one year period was for the Army leadership to find personnel, but if we already have the personnel why should we wait for one year," he said.