Army chief reactivates Binjai Battalion

Army chief reactivates Binjai Battalion

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.