Jakarta could declare state of civil emergency

Jakarta could declare state of civil emergency

JAKARTA (JP): Governor Sutiyoso hinted on Tuesday that the
city administration could declare a state of emergency under
civilian rule if conditions in the capital following the
presidential election on Wednesday and the vice presidential
election on Thursday become chaotic.

"We may declare a state of civil emergency if the situation
grows worse. We have the procedures to apply the state of
emergency law," Sutiyoso told dozens of Muslim clerics and
leading Betawi (native Jakartans) figures at City Hall.

The governor, however, has said that a state of civil
emergency should be considered as a last resort.

"I still hope security officers will be able to control the
situation. There will be no state of emergency declared within
the next two days," he said, referring to the days that the
presidential and vice presidential elections are being held.

There are two types of states of emergency: a state of civil
emergency under which the governor is in control, and a state of
military emergency in which the military calls the shots.

Dozens of Muslim clerics and leading Betawi figures visited
City Hall on Tuesday to request that Sutiyoso declare a state of
civil emergency in the city, in anticipation of possible chaos
and disorderliness following the election of state leaders.

The delegation, led by Ali Abdurrahman Assegaf and Abdul Qadir
Djaelani, asked the governor to apply the 1959 Law on State of
Emergency.

The group mentioned recent demonstrations organized by
students and Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDI
Perjuangan) supporters, claiming public facilities had been
damaged by the demonstrators and their actions could lead to
anarchy.

The Muslim and Betawi leaders then met with City Council
Speaker Edy Waluyo and conveyed the same message.

Edy responded that it would not be easy to suddenly declare a
state of emergency.

"A state of civil emergency can only be applied if a situation
turns chaotic and the administration cannot function nor economic
activities continue," he said.

He called on the people to avoid violence and maintain peace
in the city during the General Session of the People's
Consultative Assembly (MPR).

The 1959 Law stipulates that a governor may propose a state of
civil emergency to the city council. If the council endorses a
governor's proposal, presidential approval is still required.

Under a state of civil emergency, the governor has the
authority to ban people from going outside their homes, to
disperse public meetings and to limit the use of public
facilities.

The chairman of the Foundation of the Indonesian Legal
Institute, Bambang Widjojanto, criticized the idea of introducing
a state of civil emergency, charging that security officers were
looking for a shortcut to calm the situation.

"It's not right. It could trigger abuse of power by military
officers," Bambang said.

He said the governor should also listen to other opinions, not
only to Muslim and Betawi leaders.

City councilor Maringan Pangaribuan of PDI Perjuangan asked
the governor not to propose a state of emergency.

"If Sutiyoso proposes a state of civil emergency, he would be
the one triggering chaos. Nothing has happened here, Jakarta is
safe," Maringan said on Tuesday.

He said he suspected Sutiyoso was deliberately encouraging
people to demand a state of emergency.

Sutiyoso denied the allegation, saying: "What would I do that
for?"

Deputy chief of city police Brig. Gen. Soetanto separately
said a state of civil emergency was not necessary since the
police were in control of the situation. (jun)