Jakartans divided over Sutiyoso's shoot-on-sight order
Jakartans divided over Sutiyoso's shoot-on-sight order
JAKARTA (JP): Human rights activists, businessmen and
residents expressed alarm over the city military's shoot-on-sight
order, while a legislator said it was reasonable.
The critics said yesterday the order issued on Tuesday by
Jakarta Military Commander Maj. Gen. Sutiyoso had raised new
fears among residents, who were still nervous after Saturday's
street violence.
Sutiyoso had stressed, however, that the order would be a last
measure if rioters got out of control.
A statement released yesterday by the Indonesian Legal Aid
Foundation said the order violates the basic legal presumption of
innocence.
Chairman Bambang Wijoyanto urged Maj. Gen. Sutiyoso to
immediately withdraw his order to prevent new tension.
However, a noted legislator said the order is necessary to
avoid further chaos.
Aisyah Aminy, who heads Commission I for foreign affairs,
defense and information, echoed Sutiyoso, who said ABRI has
tolerated the violence long enough.
The military's patience was visible in the riots, when only
rattan sticks were used instead of guns, she said.
"In securing the locations of Jl. Matraman, Jl. Diponegoro and
Jl. Salemba Raya, even these actions can be considered too slow,"
Aisyah said.
However Aisyah, as quoted by the Antara news agency, called
for extreme caution in executing Sutiyoso's order.
"The army must be very careful to differentiate rioters and
pedestrians," she said.
"How could the military issue such an order when everything is
sure to be fine?" an executive of a widely-diversified business
group said, expressing confidence that the danger perceived by
the military had receded.
"Haven't they ever considered that the order could create new,
serious problems?" asked the businessman, who refused to be
named.
Randy, an owner of an electronics shop in Glodok, West
Jakarta, said people are afraid when they see soldiers at every
location.
"This new shoot-on-the-spot order makes us feel as if we are
living in a war zone," Randy said.
As of yesterday, armed soldiers were seen on guard at certain
places and buildings on several main roads.
Although the number was visibly less than the previous days,
their presence still created tension among the people.
A number of police from the elite forces were also seen on
guard around the disputed headquarters of the Indonesian
Democratic Party on Jl. Diponegoro, Central Jakarta.
They were equipped with guns at their sides, a marked
difference from the previous days when they only had batons and
shields to face rioters.
An officer said they were armed since Sutiyoso issued the
order.
Housewife Irawati said the order could easily lead to the
shooting of the wrong people.
"The armed soldiers on the streets are probably tired and are
not likely to be able to control their emotions," she said.
Students said the order was just a psychological ploy to help
calm down the situation.
"I bet nobody would dare take a great risk by shooting even a
single rioter," Didik, a student of a private university, said.
(bsr/anr)