Kodam to stay out of politics: Ryamizard
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)