Guns for prosecutors will not solve problems: Observer
Guns for prosecutors will not solve problems: Observer
P.C. Naommy, Jakarta
An observer has warned the Attorney General's Office of a
possible increase in the misuse of firearms if it presses ahead
with its plan to arm prosecutors for self-defense purposes.
"The plan to equip prosecutors with guns will increase the
number of weapons circulating in society, which will in turn
increase the possibility of misuse," Rashid Lubis of the Police
Watch organization said on Saturday.
He said the authorities were already facing difficulties in
controlling the circulation of guns and their usage in society,
as was shown by the large number of crimes involving firearms at
the present time.
According to Rashid, the misuse of firearms was common even
among well-trained police officers.
Police Watch reported that from Jakarta City Police
Headquarters alone, there were at least two or three cases of
firearms misuse committed by police officers every month.
Rashid said that from the 1960s up until the late 1970s the
government had authorized prosecutors to carry weapons for self-
defense.
"But during those times, prosecutors were lone investigators.
The increase in the misuse of guns among prosecutors in the 1980s
forced the government to scrap the policy," Rashid recalled.
Rashid stated that the murder of prosecutor Ferry Silalahi in
Palu late last month did not justify the reinstatement of the old
policy of equipping prosecutors with guns.
"Guns cannot solve the problem. Rather what is needed is a
greater police capability of maintaining security," he said.
Deputy attorney general for intelligence Basrief Arief said
the plan to buy 70 revolvers for prosecutors handling life-
threatening cases would continue.
He said the purchase of guns had been under consideration for
the last two years, and had nothing to do with Ferry's murder.
Ferry had dealt with dozens of corruption and terrorism cases
before he was shot dead on May 26.
The country has around 5,000 prosecutors, with only 150 of
them armed, Basrief said.
National Police spokesman Insp. Gen. Paiman said provincial
police would issue licenses for prosecutors, endorsed by the
Attorney General's Office, to carry guns after a series of tests
had been conducted.
The tests would include psychological examinations and
marksmanship.
To avoid misuse, a gun holder would have to extend his license
each year. Upon requesting an extension, the gun holders would
have to undergo the tests they had to pass when applying for the
license.
Paiman said each provincial police headquarters would provide
training for prosecutors to make sure they knew how to use their
weapons properly.