Kamra seeks final verdict on their future

JAKARTA (JP): Some 1,000 civilian guards of the People's Security (Kamra) from Central Java arrived in the capital on Sunday to seek the government's final decision on their fate as their period of service is due to end on Dec. 31.

On their first day in Jakarta, Kamra members spent their time in tents at the City Police Headquarters compound. The tents were provided by the police but were erected by the civilian guards.

As reported earlier, Kamra members were recruited a few years ago by the government through the Ministry of Defense and Security. Operationally, the members were under the supervision of the provincial police.

A representative of the Central Java group, P.D. Priyanto, said they plan to meet legislators and Minister of Defense and Security Mahfud M.D. on Monday over the matter.

"We accept the termination of our service, but the government must take responsibility to employ us," he said.

Priyanto said the government had earlier promised to deploy them as members or civilian officers at the military or police offices once they completed their period of service by the end of this year.

"There have been various conflicting solutions from different institutions and officials to our problem, but none of the answers provide assurance for our future," he added.

He also asked the government to pay the salaries, amounting to Rp 250,000 per month per person, and allowances, to some of their fellow members who had not yet received them.

It was reported last Friday that Minister of Defense Mahfud M.D. had announced that all Kamra members would receive compensation equivalent to four months salary when disbanded.

"We will stay at the House of Representative until the legislators meet our needs," said Priyanto, adding that they represented a total of 3,791 members in Central Java.

Separately, City Police Chief Insp. Gen. Mulyono S. regretted the arrival of the members of the civilian guards at his office compound, saying that the problem was currently being handled by the Minister of Defense.

"I call on all Kamra members across the country to be patient. The government will not abandon you. Coming to the capital will not make it any easier," Mulyono said on Sunday.

Kamra members have demonstrated in other cities across the country, demanding compensation and employment. Last Thursday, dozens of Kamra members burned their uniforms outside the lobby of the House of Representatives, as the legislators failed to appear and meet them.

A few days before, their fellow members ran amok at a gubernatorial office in Kalimantan.

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 a one year extension of service.

The government initially recruited over 41,000 members but that number dwindled to 36,000 due to desertion, dismissal and various other reasons.

They have been employed to assist police in maintaining order. Most of them have only elementary or high school education and were only trained for 11 days.

In November the government announced it had found new jobs for some 8,000 members of Kamra, of which 2,500 would be employed by the Jakarta administration as public order (Tramtib) officers.

Another 5,500 members would be employed in private companies, such as PT Astra Motors, as security guards. However, the fate of the remaining members is still uncertain. (07)