City military launches civic missions

JAKARTA (JP): The City Military Command yesterday launched a new series of civic missions across the Greater Jakarta area, this time to support the construction of public facilities funded by a special presidential fund.

"The Armed Forces' civic missions are a large-scale program with the strategic target of military participation in using a special presidential fund for rural development," Army Chief Gen. R. Hartono said in a written speech at the launching of the civic missions, popularly known as the ABRI Masuk Desa (The Indonesian Armed Forces Enter the Village) program.

"The 49th civic mission has the useful goal of directly fulfilling public needs and the people's aspirations," he said in the speech, which was read by Jakarta Military Commander Maj. Gen. Wiranto.

The City Military Command mobilized 450 officers to participate in the program in 25 subdistricts.

The 25 subdistricts are Karang Anyar, Cempaka Putih Barat, Galur, Sumur Batu, Pegangsaan, and Menteng of Central Jakarta; Rawa Badak, Tugu Selatan, Lagoa, Kapuk Muara, Cilincing, Kali Baru, Tanjung Priok, and Sunter Jaya in North Jakarta; Menteng Atas, Kuningan Barat, Ciganjur, Gandaria Selatan, Ulujami, Petukangan Selatan, and Grogol Selatan in South Jakarta; Benda in Tangerang; Jaya Bhakti, Sukakerta, and Suka Ringin in Bekasi.

During one month the officers will stay with residents of the subdistricts and cooperate with them in developing public facilities.

They will complete 29 projects, including roads, toilets, subdistrict offices, and mosques.

The government last year launched a special program to accelerate rural development. Over 20,000 Villages received special presidential funds, each allocation being worth Rp 20 million ($9,000).

The Armed Forces are supporting the special program by mobilizing its personnel in targeted villages.

Hartono said that the program would evenly distribute development results, minimize the social gap, increase public awareness.

He acknowledged, however, that the civic missions had not yet reached all the targeted villages. He vowed that the program would be pursued consistently in accordance with the military's concern in increasing the people's prosperity.

To ensure the program's success, the general called for his personnel to cooperate effectively with the other parties involved in the program.

"I demand that you to maintain collectivity, unity, and cooperation with all parties: government officers, the people's leaders and youth," he said. (29)