Lawmakers rethink security after Matori attack
JAKARTA (JP): The attack on deputy speaker of the People's Consultative Assembly Matori Abdul Djalil stirred debate among legislators on Tuesday about whether they should be allowed to carry weapons.
Some insisted that they be allowed to keep firearms for protection purposes only, but others feared it would lead to more problems.
"I think it's normal and about time that legislators should be allowed to carry weapons because this is aimed at self-defense," said Sophan Sophiaan, a legislator from the Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle. He said he already kept a firearm.
Matori was attacked at his home on Sunday morning by a machete-wielding unidentified man, sustaining injuries to his right arm and head that required 30 stitches. A FN-45 pistol was retrieved after the attack, which is believed to have been committed by at least two men.
State Minister of Human Rights Affairs Hasballah M. Saad echoed Sophan's view, saying it would not be improper for high- ranking government officials, including ministers and members of the House, to carry guns.
"Legal possession of guns is acceptable when they feel threatened. They need proper security," he told The Jakarta Post in the South Sulawesi capital of Makassar on Tuesday.
Hasballah was in Makassar for the signing of a memorandum of understanding between his office and state Hasanuddin University.
The idea to permit legislators to carry guns was first brought up by Sophan's colleague, Julius Usman, during a hearing of House Commission II for home and legal affairs with National Police Chief Lt. Gen. Rusdihardjo on Monday.
Rusdihardjo said he would consider the suggestion.
Legislator Yasril Ananta Baharuddin of the Golkar Party discounted the idea on Tuesday, saying it would invite further disorder.
"I totally disagree with the idea of letting House members carry guns because this could be misused, or we could even end up shooting at each other," Yusril said.
"What is more important now is whether the security apparatus are up to their job or not. We have to ask them for their accountability."
A researcher at the Center of Security and Peace Studies at Gadjah Mada University, Samsu Rizal Panggabean, said that arming officials would not solve the problem of a lack of security.
"It is too simplistic a conclusion to arm high-ranking officials, except if the police think they cannot guarantee the officials' safety anymore."
He said the attack on Matori should teach the police a lesson about their inadequate protection of officials.
Rizal said the police would have to work hard to uncover the facts of the case to restore a sense of security among the people, particularly top officials.
"The police's work in this case could be the indicator of the extent to which they can protect the government officials."
He said it would be safer to arm the officials' private security personnel instead of arming the officials, most of whom lacked weapon-handling skills.
"We are not like the U.S., Switzerland or other countries which allow their citizens to possess guns. Thus, arming the high-ranking officials will only worsen the people's psychological perception of a lack of security.
"And those who possess illegal weapons will feel more comfortable to have and use the illegal guns because they'll know many high-ranking officials possess guns."
Rizal said allowing the officials to carry guns could boost the illegal trade in weapons.
Jakarta Governor Sutiyoso, who also chairs the Indonesian Shooting and Hunting Association (Perbakin), called on the police to conduct sweeps for weapons and to restrict firearm imports.
"Perbakin was the sole importer for sports purposes. There are several importers now due to the new demand for defense purposes," he said at City Hall.
"This condition has made it difficult for the security authorities to control distribution of weapons."
He said security authorities should control weapon distribution from the outset.
"We can identify not only the owners, but traders and producers."
He believed the illegal distribution of weapons was rife. "The weapons can be smuggled through airports or seaports. I'm sure of it." (27/44/dja/sur/nvn)