Civilian militia training begins without fanfare
JAKARTA (JP): After at least two postponements and with no advance word to the media, the first 3,000 recruits of the city's civilian militia have begun training, Jakarta Military Command spokesman Lt. Col. D.J. Nachrowi said on Tuesday.
A modest ceremony marking commencement of training for the People's Security (Kamra) was held at the command's Rindam regimental headquarters in Condet, East Jakarta, on Feb. 8 following an abrupt order from Jakarta Military Commander Maj. Gen. Djadja Suparman, Nachrowi said.
Uncharacteristically, the command did not invite the media to the ceremony.
"We did not intend to avoid the press. Commander Djadja suddenly instructed us to open the training and gave us 20 minutes to do it," Nachrowi told The Jakarta Post.
Training, to be held over two weeks at different Armed Forces facilities, was originally set to begin on Feb. 1.
Due to a lack of qualified applicants, the command postponed it until Feb. 8.
Three days prior to the rescheduled commencement, Nachrowi told journalists the training would be put off again. He cited the previous reason plus the unreadiness of the 14 designated training centers.
He said half of the 6,000 men who registered for the militia failed to meet the requirement of a junior high school diploma.
"Many people are interested in the Kamra program, but unfortunately most of them are only elementary school graduates," he said at the time.
Nachrowi said on Tuesday the opening ceremony was led by Rindam's commander Col. Irianto and witnessed by about 200 guests.
"The training of the 3,000 participants is the first class of this Kamra program," he said.
The military command will continue to accept more recruits for the militia until the number reaches 12,000 members.
"It's now only a quarter of it," he said.
Recruitment, targeting male citizens between 18 years and 45 years, opened on Jan. 11 and will last until March 12. There is no application fee.
The command's officers say the force will assist the police in maintaining law and order and safeguarding the capital before and during the general election.
During training, each member will receive Rp 100,000, and subsequently a monthly wage of Rp 200,000.
Officially, the recruits will only be equipped with rattan sticks and shields, and have not been organized to support particular political parties.
Kamra members will be supervised by the city police and authorized to carry out various police duties, including checking ID cards, making arrests and gathering information from suspects, he said. (jun)