Errant military personnel warned
Errant military personnel warned
JAKARTA (JP): Jakarta Military Commander Maj. Gen. Sutiyoso
said that he would take stern action against military personnel
found frequenting or working at entertainment establishments.
"It's a breach of the law. I will not hesitate to hand out
stiff punishments to any errant personnel," Sutiyoso told
reporters during an inspection at the Jakarta Military Police
headquarters on Jl. Guntur, South Jakarta.
He said that low military incomes cannot be considered an
excuse for wanting to earn more income by acting as security
guards at such establishments.
"The officers should manage their income properly. The low
level of welfare of many military personnel cannot be used as a
reason to break the law," Sutiyoso emphasized.
He said there is no difference in the salaries of members of
the armed forces in the country, so they should have an equal
level of welfare.
The Military Command, as well as the City Police, have
conducted several crackdowns on discotheques, pubs and nightclubs
in the city, seizing hundreds of ecstasy pills and dozens of
guns.
Some discotheque owners complained about the crackdowns,
saying that the operations disturbed the privacy of patrons. The
owners particularly opposed the raids which were accompanied by
reporters from both the printed media and television.
Sutiyoso said the Military Command would take the complaints
into consideration, saying that he would improve the way the
crackdowns were conducted.
However, he pledged to continue the raids. "We will continue
the crackdowns. We will probably find personnel working at or
frequenting the discotheques," he added.
He said that the military has received 460 guns of various
types from retired military members.
"We will continue to make inventories of guns belonging to our
members as ordered by Armed Forces Chief Gen. Feisal Tanjung," he
said.
On Tuesday Feisal instructed the Army, Navy, Air Force and
Police chiefs to make inventories of guns and other weapons which
are being held by personnel both on active duty and those who
have already retired. (jun)