'Let them wear pink', TNI says of task forces
Tiarma Siboro, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta
The Indonesian Military (TNI) Chief Gen. Endriartono Sutarto asked on Tuesday all political party-affiliated civilian guards not to dress or behave like soldiers prior to or during the 2004 elections.
Endriartono predicted that tension between political party supporters would likely increase during the period and the parties' civilian security units might worsen the situation if they imitated the military.
"We cannot prevent violence from erupting if the civilian task forces look and act like soldiers during political events." Endriartono told a hearing with the House of Representatives' Commission I for political, security and foreign affairs.
"They can be aggressive and spark violence if they wear military-style uniforms."
He suggested that each party consider providing pastel-colored uniforms for their security wings.
"Give them uniforms with soft colors, such as pink," he said with an apparent chuckle.
He said the top political groups could contribute to a peaceful process of elections by avoiding deployment of military- style groups.
"If the country wishes to organize democratic and peaceful elections, any deployment of civilian task forces that appear to be military men cannot be accepted," Endriartono said.
Indonesia will hold the election of legislative members on April 5, 2004 and the direct presidential election in June, with the possible run-off in September.
Endriartono fell short of ordering the disbandment of the numerous auxiliary or civilian security groups affiliated to political parties, even after sporadic clashes last month involving supporters of Golkar and the Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDI Perjuangan) in Bali, which resulted in two deaths.
Demands have increased for political parties and the government to draft a code of conduct that would deter party supporters from violence.
Some have even asked the General Elections Commission (KPU) to enforce existing regulations, such as bylaws and the Criminal Code (KUHP), against political parties which violated the election rules.
Also last month, Golkar and PDI Perjuangan supporters were involved in a clash in Batang regency, Central Java, forcing the provincial police to ban all civilian guards affiliated to political parties from building posts to help Idul Fitri travelers.
Civilian guards linked to political parties used to set up security posts along the routes of holiday travelers in order to win public sympathy.
Endriartono said it was the police who would play the dominant role in securing the election process, except in war-torn Aceh.
"I think the police should be responsible for maintaining order during the election campaign and balloting and not these civilian guards," Endriartono said.
As for Aceh, the presence of thousands of troops for at least another six months in Aceh was said to be aimed at maintaining security prior to and during the elections, so that people in the natural resource-rich province could exercise their right to vote.
Intelligence officials have predicted efforts by certain quarters to sabotage the elections in various ways, ranging from political maneuvering to security disturbances.