Gangsters or soldiers?

Gangsters or soldiers?

This year the Indonesian Military (TNI) gets a bloody gift for its 57th anniversary, which falls on Oct. 5.

The death of Police Mobile Brigade members and civilians following the brutal attack and pitched battle involving its soldiers who were deployed in North Sumatra, will be the most impressive gift to TNI in its history.

The deadly raid on the Police station and Brimob barracks also destroyed the office facilities and allowed 61 police detainees to escape.

The soldiers were apparently furious after the Police turned down their request to release their colleague who was being detained (by the police) over drugs.

The incident clearly shows us that organized crime is still part and parcel of the Military.

Police are now no longer subordinate to the TNI. They are now directly under the control of the President. The Police are now equal. The Police are in charge of (public) security while the Military is in charge of state defense.

The clear division of labor has, unfortunately, been accepted by the top level officers only, not by the field sergeants.

Police officers, who, because of the nature of their daily duties, are "luckier" than the Military in terms of extortion opportunities. This has obviously triggered jealousy from the Military members.

Both the Military and Police personnel are poorly paid. However, low wages are not an excuse for Military units to act like armed gangs.

-- Media Indonesia, Jakarta