Battalion not to go to Aceh

KARAWANG, West Java (JP): The Army's Strategic Reserves Command (Kostrad) chief, Lt. Gen. Ryamizard Ryacudu, said on Thursday that he would cancel the deployment of its Airborne Infantry Battalion 501 to Aceh following the deadly clash with police officers in Madiun, East Java.

"The troops had originally been prepared for deployment to the strife-torn province next month, but the plan has been dropped as they were involved in the clash -- partly caused by stress," Ryamizard told reporters after inducting about 1,270 new Kostrad soldiers.

"The battalion returned several months ago from Maluku, where they were involved in helping to settle the prolonged sectarian conflict there. It's just not good for them. They need more than six months to be with their families before being assigned to another troubled place," Ryamizard said.

As reported earlier, hundreds of members of Battalion 501 were involved in a fatal clash on Saturday with Madiun police that also resulted in the death of three teenagers.

Soon after the clash, Ryamizard discharged 13 members of the battalion (not 22 as previously reported), including the battalion chief Maj. Komistin Hadirin and his deputy Maj. Nurcholid.

Komistin was still in Aceh making preparations for the deployment of his battalion, which would have consisted of 400 soldiers, when the incident happened.

"The dismissal of the chiefs is required as they are incapable of handling their troops. Of course my troops must have esprit de corps, but most important of all is how to manage, control and motivate them. Such a dismissal is the most severe sanction I can impose on my subordinates that fail to carry out their job well," Ryamizard said.

Ryamizard further said that he would suggest that Army Chief of Staff Gen. Endriartono Sutarto prepare other troops should the Indonesian Military (TNI) wish to send more to Aceh.

Responding to the evaluation of discipline among Kostrad troops, Ryamizard disclosed that during his tenure, he had dismissed at least eight Kostrad personnel each month for different reasons -- desertion, indiscipline and immoral behavior.

"Thus, you can calculate that in total I have dismissed about 100 soldiers during the time I have led this force since August last year. I must be firm in order to maintain discipline," Ryamizard said. (tso)