Joint security troops 'overacted' in Ambon: Djasrie

JAKARTA (JP): The Indonesian Military Police chief Maj. Gen. Djasrie Marin said on Monday that the joint security forces in Ambon may have been 'overacting' in the raid of a hotel in the Maluku capital following four days of unrest during which 10 civilians were killed.

"They were probably correct when performing their duty. But since there were also fatalities, we're therefore conducting an investigation to clarify whether they used excessive force during the raid," Djasrie said while addressing a hearing with the House of Representatives Commission I on Security, Defense and Foreign Affairs.

Djasrie's explanation came in response to a legislator's question over whether the Indonesian Military (TNI) would take stern measures against soldiers of the joint security forces involved in the incident.

The incident at Hotel Wijaya II took place on Jan. 20 when soldiers, who had been in a security post located about 100 meters away from the hotel exchanging fire with rioters, were shot by a sniper from an opposite direction. The soldiers said that the gunshot came from the hotel building.

The joint security forces -- comprises Navy's Marines, air force's Paskhas, and army's Kopassus -- then raided the hotel on Jan. 21, capturing several military and police officers and arresting them for their alleged involvement in attacks by heavily armed Muslims that began on Jan. 19.

The joint security forces seized two SS-1 rifles, four Luger handguns, an FN pistol, four Colt handguns, a combat knife, six magazines of ammunition for SS-1 rifles plus two homemade bombs and two grams of shabu (crystal methamphetamine) from the nine suspects.

The TNI headquarters had sent a fact-finding team led by the assistant for intelligence to the TNI chief of general affairs, Brig. Gen. Zulfahmi, to investigate the alleged involvement of soldiers in the attack, while the army has confirmed that one of the army's middle-ranking officers named Maj. Nurdin Nontji, a staffer at Pattimura Military Command's inspectorate, was involved in the incident and has been proven partisan.

Djasrie said the military police have questioned Nurdin over his presence at the hotel and declared him a suspect due to his 'indisciplinary act', but was still gathering more evidence.

"We also have yet to declare Nurdin to be inactive," Djasrie said while dismissing reports that the joint security forces had also found Rp 30 million in cash at the hotel.

Pattimura Military Commander Brig. Gen. I Made Yasa, protested at Djasrie's statement saying that the joint security forces have been overacting.

"They were carrying out a special task enforcing the civil emergency there, including detaining any police officers and soldiers who deserted their units.

"My troops (the joint military forces troops) are good soldiers. Pak Djasrie has hastily described them as overacting," Made Yasa told reporters in an emotional tone after the hearing. (02)