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.