Kodam to stay out of politics: Ryamizard

BIDADARI ISLAND (JP): Since the capital's security has been delegated to the city police, the Jakarta Military Command will focus on developing into a professional unit, Jakarta Military Commander Maj. Gen. Ryamizard Ryacudu said on Thursday.

He said he was trying to eradicate the city military's involvement in politics as well as its interference in security affairs.

"The command is no longer responsible for handling security in the city, as it was handed over to the city police last year.

"As a consequence, the Jakarta Military Command (Kodam) is now concentrating on enhancing the quality of its soldiers by intensively conducting basic military training," he announced after addressing the opening of a two-day gathering of military units under the supervision of the Jakarta Military Command on Bidadari island of the Seribu Islands, off the Jakarta Bay.

Prior to the gathering, the command held several sessions of basic military training in the Greater Jakarta area.

The last gathering was held in Ciampea district, Bogor, last April, when all unit commanders were involved in a three-day basic combat training.

"All efforts to enhance the quality of our personnel are intended to anticipate the worst situation should our country get involved in wars with foreign enemies," Ryamizard said.

Besides focusing on enhancing its personnel's combat capability, the command is also dedicated to improving its intelligence unit, he said.

"Kodam is a support unit to the city police in handling security problems in the city.

"Speaking about intelligence affairs, we'll always coordinate with the city police on contemporary security matters in the capital," he said.

The military chief said the Jakarta Military Command did not feel left out when the police took over handling the security of the city last year.

He said the command and the city police headquarters had different responsibilities for maintaining security in the capital.

"The police maintain security and order in the city, while the Indonesian Military (TNI), including the command, defends our country from foreign invasions," he said. He said for example the police were responsible for handling brawls in the city.

Ryamizard said TNI would only deploy its personnel if the police failed to maintain order and security in the country.

"TNI deployed personnel in Maluku after the circumstances there developed uncontrollably," he said.

The National Police Headquarters were formally separated from the military in April last year.

The National Police will come formally under direct supervision of the President beginning in January next year. (asa)