Kamra seeks final verdict on their future

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)