Feisal warns of campaign clashes

JAKARTA (JP): Armed Forces Commander Gen. Feisal Tanjung said yesterday possible election rule violations could lead to physical clashes.

This should be anticipated as early as possible, Feisal said at City Hall.

"Sensitivity and the ability to immediately respond is needed to face every change which might be disturbing," Feisal said.

He was addressing an annual gathering of the Agency for Coordinating Defense and National Stability's city branch. The Agency's city branch is headed by City Military Commander Maj. Gen. Sutiyoso.

Yesterday's session was aimed at increasing alertness ahead of next year's May elections.

The session was attended by the Agency's members including municipality employees and City Police representatives.

Feisal said with each contestant striving for the most votes the political climate was becoming more tense.

Improving response capabilities could be done by increasing coordination with other bodies.

Recent disturbances in Jakarta and other areas like demonstrations and murders "could be used to raise negative influences in society," he said.

Jakarta is the barometer of national stability so requires special attention, Feisal said.

Governor Surjadi Soedirdja also addressed the session.

Also present were National Police Chief Lt. Gen. Dibyo Widodo, Army Chief of Staff Lt. Gen. Tarub and ABRI's head of social and political affairs, Lt. Gen. Syarwan Hamid.

City Military Commander Maj. Gen. Sutiyoso said crimes on the city's outskirts were increasing as police and military personnel cracked down on innercity crime.

He called for a more concerted effort to overcome the city's problems and prevent more crime.

"As we chase criminals in the city, they run to the outskirts," Sutiyoso said.

Sutiyoso said one potential source of crimes was conflict caused partially by low land compensation.

This is caused by collusion between "land mafia" and certain members of the local bureaucracy, the commander said.

Crimes are increasingly led by economic motives, he said.

Spatial planning was another issue which needed better coordination between city authorities, Sutiyoso said.

"Coordination in drawing up spatial plans in bordering areas (with West Java) is yet to be realized; this leads to conflict over land use," he said.

Other problems include the economic gap, increasing competition and continuing urbanization, Sutiyoso said. (02/anr)