'Let them wear pink', TNI says of task forces

'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.