Kamra members burn uniforms in protest
Kamra members burn uniforms in protest
JAKARTA (JP): Hopes for help appeared to go up in smoke as
dozens of People's Security (Kamra) civilian guards burned their
uniforms in the lobby of the House of Representatives on
Thursday.
Kamra members went to the House to ask legislators what
measures they had taken to defuse their anxiety now that the
expiration of their service on Dec. 31 is fast approaching.
One of the protesters, representing members of Kamra assigned
to Kalideres and Cengkareng police precincts in West Jakarta,
said the civilian guards set their uniforms on fire to express
their disappointment over the failure of legislators to appear
and receive them.
"The House and the government who gave us false promises
should meet us today and find a solution to our problem," an
emotional Syaiful said.
The House is in recess until January next year. Some
legislators were present to attend a consultation meeting with
Attorney General Marzuki Darusman.
Syaiful said the Kamra members came to ask the House to urge
the government, particularly the ministry of defense and ministry
of finance, to take heed of their future, as they will be jobless
by the end of this year.
"The government has promised to employ us at the Jakarta
administration, whether as public order (Tramtib) officers,
security guards or fire department officers. But up to now none
of the promises have materialized," he said.
Syaiful, from Cengkareng, said they also came to the House to
seek confirmation of their holiday allowances and severance pay.
"The police precincts whom we work with, told us to come today
to check whether we would receive our allowances but nobody was
there. That's why we are here," he added.
Kamra was formed in 1998 based on Law No. 56 on people's
security. The law stipulates that Kamra members serve for one
year, with a maximum of one year extension of service.
The government has employed about 36,000 Kamra to assist
police in maintaining order.
The protesters gave legislators a Monday deadline to decide on
steps to help Kamra members.
"We will return with 12,000 people and we are ready to rock
the city if the legislators fail to heed our demands," Syaiful
said. (bby)