Govt set to impose state of emergency in Poso

Govt set to impose state of emergency in Poso

Fabiola Desy Unidjaja
and Tiarma Siboro
The Jakarta Post
Jakarta

Security authorities look set to impose a state of emergency in
Poso, Central Sulawesi, to end the raging sectarian conflict
which claimed over 2,000 lives over the past year alone.

"I will visit Poso on Tuesday to assess the situation and
determine whether the government needs to declare a military or
civil emergency. After coming back from Poso, we will recommend
to the President how to restore peace in the province,"
Coordinating Minister for Political and Security Affairs Susilo
Bambang Yudhoyono told reporters after meeting with President
Megawati Soekarnoputri on Monday.

During the visit, Susilo is scheduled to be accompanied by
Indonesian Military (TNI) chief Adm. Widodo A.S., National Police
chief Gen. Da'i Bachtiar and Minister of Home Affairs Hari
Sabarno.

Susilo also revealed the government's plan to dispatch four
battalions comprising military and police personnel to undertake
security operations there.

"The main responsibility of the troops is to stop the
conflicts, conduct raids on firearms and on the presence of a
certain organization that should not be allowed to stay in Poso,"
he said.

Susilo said the operation would start in the next two days.

Separately, Widodo said during a hearing with the House of
Representatives' Commission I on political, security and home
affairs that the state of emergency in Poso was urgently needed
due to the escalation of the conflict there.

"The decision (to impose a state of emergency), of course,
will be made following coordination between the government and
the House," Widodo said.

"Two weeks ago, we deployed 100 soldiers there to anticipate
possible conflicts. To date, that number has been raised to about
500 soldiers," Widodo added.

He further said that the TNI had prepared two battalions of
the reinforcement troops to be sent there.

Law No. 23/1959 stipulates that the government must secure the
approval of the House prior to imposing either a civil or
military emergency on a particular region.

Responding to the latest developments in Poso, members of
House Commission I threw their weight behind the plan, saying
that the government should consider declaring a military
emergency there.

"We must stop the violence and the sectarian conflict in Poso.
If we can declare a military emergency there, why don't we?,"
Jusril Ananta Baharuddin asked rhetorically.

I-box: Civil emergency vs military emergency

CIVIL EMERGENCY:
1. The governor takes charge as the supreme authority.
2. The governor has the authority to issue regulations necessary
to maintain public order or security.
3. Every civilian employee in the region subject to the emergency
is obliged to provide information to the governor under certain
circumstances.
4. The governor has the authority to limit shows, printing,
publishing, announcements or any form of information
dissemination.

MILITARY EMERGENCY:
1. The military takes charge as the supreme authority.
2. The military has the right to take control in matters of
public order and security.
3. The military has the right to restrict shows, printing,
publishing, announcements, or any form of information
dissemination.
4. The military has the right to confiscate letters and packages
sent through the post office or couriers, also drafts and
receipts and money sent through the such means, and to censor, to
change the content of or to destroy letters or packages.