Government to set up civilian security force
Government to set up civilian security force
Tiarma Siboro, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta
Coordinating Minister for Political and Security Affairs
Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono revealed on Tuesday that the government
planned to form a new force of civilian security guards
(Pamswakarsa) across the country to help secure their own
neighborhoods.
"The idea of establishing Pamswakarsa is due to our concern
over local security. Of course the police are the ones
responsible for maintaining security, but I guess it would be a
good idea to involve civilians to help police in securing their
own neighborhoods," Susilo told reporters at his office.
Nevertheless, Susilo asserted that the Pamswakarsa force to be
formed would differ from the controversial Pamswakarsa
established by former defense minister Wiranto.
"Therefore, I assure you that this Pamswakarsa will not be
identical to the one established during former president BJ
Habibie's rule as it was aimed at securing some political
events," Susilo said.
Pamswakarsa were used by Wiranto to counter massive
antigovernment demonstrations during the special session of the
People's Consultative Assembly in 1998.
Pressure immediately mounted for the withdrawal of civilian
guards after several clashes between the untrained guards and
student demonstrators erupted in several locations in Jakarta. A
number of Pamswakarsa members were killed in the clashes.
The proposal to establish a new Pamswakarsa force was
submitted during a meeting on the budget of the Indonesian
Military/National Police at the House of Representatives late on
Monday.
During the meeting, however, legislators questioned the
urgency of the establishment of a Pamswakarsa force.
Susilo then answered that it would be better if civilians were
involved in maintaining security in their own neighborhoods,
while the police could focus on security disturbances in a wider
scope.
According to Susilo, should the government establish the
civilian security force, it must be under the supervision of the
police to avoid an overlap in duties.