Civilian militia training begins without fanfare

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)