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)