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.