Kokam to field 10,000 guards

SURABAYA (JP): The East Java chapter of the Muhammadiyah Youth Association said on Saturday they would deploy at least 10,000 people to safeguard the Muslim organization's property before, during and after the special session of the People's Consultative Assembly scheduled for Aug. 1.

M. Mirdasy said during a press briefing here on Saturday the 10,000 guards would be concentrated at schools, hospitals, mosques, orphanages and secretariats belonging to Muhammadiyah in the province.

The guards, from Kokam, the Muhammadiyah's civilian guard, will not wear special uniforms, he said.

Large groups of people, reportedly supporters of President Abdurrahman Wahid, have in the past vandalized Muhammadiyah's property, mostly in East Java.

Mirdasy said the police had been slow to respond to the attacks, allowing the assailants to escape. He cited the attack on a Muhammadiyah high school in Sidoardjo last May.

Fasichul Lisan, the chairman of the Muhammadiyah Youth Force, said that Muhammadiyah had suffered more than Rp 1 billion in financial losses from the vandalism. (nur/sur)