Jakartans vow to be loyal to the military
Jakartans vow to be loyal to the military
JAKARTA (JP): Thousands of Jakartans, from various ages and
socio-economic levels, pledged loyalty to the military and
authorities in a mass gathering at Kemayoran, Central Jakarta,
Saturday morning.
"Warga Jaya Indonesia (the People of Greater Jakarta) are
ready to face any parties trying to undermine Pancasila (the
national ideology) and UUD 45 (Constitution), disturb stability
and damage the unity and integrity of this nation," they vowed
in a statement read by the organization chairman, Abdul Gafur,
a former minister.
The ceremony was led by the newly-installed head of the
Jakarta Chapter of Coordinating Agency for National Stability
(Bakorstanasda Jaya), Maj. Gen. Wiranto, who is also the City
Military Commander.
The Jakarta-based organization, called the Development Board
for the Potency of the Greater Jakarta people (BPP Warga Jaya
Indonesia), was founded on Dec. 30, 1967. Its personnel have
just been reorganized in the past few weeks.
"Warga Jaya Indonesia are ready to participate in increasing
public security and order for the sake of the people, in line
with the measures carried out by the Bakorstanasda Jaya," vowed
Gafur, who was born in Halmahera, Maluku, 56 years ago.
Wiranto said the organization is going back to play an active
role in helping the military and authorities as well to fight
against public disorders.
"We appreciate their good will as it will benefit the whole
community, particularly in the ongoing development process of this
country," he said.
"In 1967, they helped city military officers in sweeping up the
remaining members of the banned PKI communist party living in the
greater Jakarta area," Wiranto said.
Yellow cloth
Wearing yellow T-shirts, freely distributed by the organization
to the gathering's 15,000 participants, approximately one-third of
the people left the open space arena on Jl. Landasan Selatan near
the Jakarta Fair complex early due to the one-hour delay of
Wiranto's arrive.
"We've waited on this hot road for three hours without water and
food. As there is nobody to help us, it's best to leave before we
collapse on the spot," said Rukmini, 26, from the South Jakarta
chapter.
Among the guests who attended the gathering yesterday were
National Police spokesman Brig. Gen. IK Ratta, a number of senior
police and military officers as well as several executives of youth
organizations, including Yorrys Raweyai from Pemuda Pancasila.
Most of the participants of the gathering were those from the
youth organizations. (bsr)