Legislators cautious over shoot-on-sight order

JAKARTA (JP): Legislators responded cautiously yesterday to a warning from Armed Forces Chief Gen. Feisal Tanjung that security officers had been ordered to shoot rioters on sight.

The House of Representatives members said that such a stern measure should follow legal procedures and serve only as a last resort if other measures had failed.

"I don't think security personnel would take such severe action if there were other options available to handle riots. Opening fire is simply shock therapy," First Marshal Tjokong Tarigan of the Armed Forces faction was quoted by Antara as saying.

The violent incidents that rocked the country in the last few months prompted Feisal to consider last week allowing security officers to open fire if such unrest was repeated in the run-up to the May 29 general election.

Tarigan said that security forces must abide by the law, military doctrines and the state ideology Pancasila, all of which acknowledge human rights.

In Indonesia, the Armed Forces comprises the Army, Navy, Air Force and Police.

Tarigan called for the security apparatus to enhance its devotion to the national disciplinary drive launched by President Soeharto two years ago.

"We live in a country which abides by the rule of law. As a consequence, the security forces must restrain themselves from abusing their power," Tarigan said.

Jusuf Rizal Tjokroaminoto of the United Development Party agreed with Tarigan, saying that even a suspect deserves protection under the law.

"There is no evidence yet that those riots had anything to do with the general election," Jusuf said.

He reminded security officials not to issue warnings too readily, on the grounds that it would only lead to unexpected public excesses.

"We have to learn from the recent riots, in which people's tongues played a pivotal role."

He said he believed that nobody would spark riots because the government had asked the public to take part in the election.

Chairman of the dominant Golkar faction Moestahid Astari agreed with Feisal's statement, saying that it could serve as an early warning against those considering disrupting the election.

"There's nothing special about the order to shoot criminals on sight. The Armed Forces chief's warning is a preventive measure which forces people to think of the risks of inciting riots," Moestahid said.

He added that the order could only be executed in accordance with legal procedures.

A member of the Indonesian Democratic Party faction, Budi Hardjono, called on the Armed Forces to carry out thorough deliberations on all matters dealing with its security role during the election.

"It would be better if all political groups advise their supporters of the risks of violating the regulations," Budi said. (amd)