Kalimantan asks TNI for help

Kalimantan asks TNI for help

BANJARMASIN, South Kalimantan: City administrations in
Kalimantan have urged the Indonesian Military (TNI) to send a
rapid deployment force to the province in anticipation of unrest.

The request was the highlight of the initial congress of the
Association of City Administrations in Indonesian Region V
overseeing Kalimantan, held here recently.

Also during the congress, Banjarmasin Mayor Sofyan Arpan was
elected chairman of the organization.

The spokesman for the Banjarmasin administration, M. Arifin,
told Antara news agency on Monday most mayors attending the
congress were of the opinion that security in Kalimantan was at a
historic low, evidenced by a number of recent ethnic clashes and
mob attacks on state buildings and domestic and joint-venture
companies.

"This anarchy was masterminded by individuals claiming to
represent the public's interests," Arifin said.

He said the mayors did not believe the police had sufficient
personnel to cope with the type of mass unrest that occurred in
Pontianak at the end of last month.

"We want the government to allow the military to take quick
action during an emergency without having to consult first with
the police, because such a procedure takes time," Arifin said
reading from a recommendation issued by the assembled mayors.
(amd)