City seeking approval of stern security measures

City seeking approval of stern security measures

JAKARTA (JP): City authorities called on Friday for City
Council to issue a decree that will grant security agencies the
authority to take stern action against rioters and criminals
during the General Session of the People's Consultative Assembly
(MPR) next month.

"Written approval is needed to protect security officers from
legal sanctions over their implementation of stern security
measures against rioters and other law violators," Governor
Sutiyoso told reporters after a coordinating meeting of city
authorities at City Hall.

"Law enforcers have been uncertain lately when they had to
take strong action against rioters. They feared the possibility
of strong protests from residents," he said.

The governor said the council's formal approval would help
ease the security personnel while performing their duties on the
streets.

Present at the meeting were Jakarta Police chief Insp. Gen.
Nurfaizi, Jakarta Military Commander Maj. Gen. Ryamizard Ryacudu
and Chief of Naval Main Base Commodore Djuhana Suwarna.

Nurfaizi, who shared the same media conference with Sutiyoso,
said the police would focus on security precautions in the
capital ahead of the General Session.

"We can deploy up to 7,700 police officers to maintain
security during the General Session," he said.

Earlier on Wednesday, Nurfaizi hinted that the council had
granted verbal approval for security personnel to take firm
actions against rioters and criminals operating on the streets.

Chief of Jakarta Police Operation Control Command Sr. Supt.
Nono Suprijono said city police would deploy at least 60 percent
of its total force to safeguard the annual MPR General Session
next month.

"We'll deploy more officers if the situation requires. We'll
discuss it further in our meeting on Monday," he said separately.

Currently, there are about 18,000 police officers in Greater
Jakarta areas.

Meanwhile, Ryamizard said the military command would support
the Jakarta police with reinforcement personnel whenever
required.

Similarly, Djuhana said the navy would deploy reinforcements
as needed.

"The number of marines to be deployed will depend on the
situation and be based upon requests by city authorities," he
told The Jakarta Post.

"At least, we'll deploy the marines in areas nearby the naval
bases and headquarters," he said.

The coordinating meeting also discussed efforts to restore
peace and order in the city.

"City administration will intensify operations to restore
peace and order in the capital. We'll target street people,"
Sutiyoso said, while citing street vendors and illegal traffic
wardens as examples.

"I strongly criticized the city's five mayors for their
failure to immediately handle the street problems while they were
still small in form and amount," he added.

Official data shows there are at least 195,000 people who
illegally earn their living on the streets and whose operations
have created insecurity and public disorder in Jakarta. They
comprise street vendors, pedicab drivers, three-in-one jockeys,
street children and prostitutes.

"The mayors tended to delay taking immediate actions against
such irregular activities," Sutiyoso said.

"I also expect the mayors to take better care of their own
areas in the future," he added.

The governor also questioned the performance of local police
and military officers in upholding the laws and maintaining peace
and order in the city.

"Security officers can't perform well because residents tend
to retaliate to any stern actions.

"The new trend makes the officers unable to take necessary
actions against massive unlawfulness," he said.

Sutiyoso said there would be another meeting on Monday to
discuss detailed procedures for security operations in the
capital.

"While there will always be an excess, such security
operations are necessary. But, let's just focus on the security
and order which is the aspiration of the public," he said.

Similarly, Nurfaizi said the security operations were helpful
for establishing peace and order in the capital.

"We will back Sutiyoso's plan to restore the public order," he
said, while asking residents to report any security problems in
their neighborhood. (06/nvn)