Martial law may be called in Aceh, Irian: Minister

Martial law may be called in Aceh, Irian: Minister

JAKARTA (JP): Separatist movements which have simmered in Aceh
and Irian Jaya for years could force the government to declare
martial law in the two provinces, a minister said on Monday.

Coordinating Minister for Political and Security Affairs
Feisal Tanjung, speaking for Minister of Defense and Security
Gen. Wiranto, who is in Singapore to receive a medal, told a
plenary session of the House of Representatives that martial law
could be enacted in the two provinces if rebel groups
intensified their activities in the areas.

"There have been a series of killings, abductions, shootings
at security personnel and civilians and attacks on schools and
government buildings committed by the Free Aceh Movement and the
Free Papua Organization.

"A state under such a situation is unsafe and could even be
endangered," Feisal told the House as he submitted bills on
internal security and the paramilitary.

The internal security bill would allow the president to
enforce martial law in parts of the country hit by rebellions and
attempts to break away from the republic.

The natural-resource rich provinces of Aceh and Irian Jaya
have seen a rise in violence over the past year. Aceh appears the
more volatile of the two, with over 100 security personnel and
civilians killed between May and early July.

Apart from the two provinces, Indonesia has battled separatist
rebels and coup attempts across the nation since it declared
independence in 1945.

The bill would also allow the president to declare a state of
emergency in areas hit by communal clashes sparked by religious,
racial or ethnic conflicts.

Ethnic and religious riots have rocked the country over the
past two years, claiming more than 500 lives. Attempts to restore
order following sporadic religious clashes in Maluku are still
underway.

The internal security and paramilitary bills were submitted to
the House to replace the 1959 state of emergency law and the 1960
government regulation on procedures for requesting military
assistance, Feisal said.

According to the internal security bill, the president must
consult the National Defense and Security Council and the newly
established Council for the Enactment of Security and Law to
declare a state of emergency. The president chairs both
institutions.

In times of peace, the president can enact the internal
security law if the National Police and other security forces are
considered unable to cope with situations which cause local
government, business and social institutions to malfunction,
according to the bills.

The bill also states that if the country is at war, the
government can declare martial law if faced with separatist
movements which adversely affect public order and security. A
state of war and siege will be declared during a war with a
foreign nation in order to maintain the state's sovereignty and
national unity.

Discussing the paramilitary bill, Feisal said the civilian
militia had proven a reliable force in defending the republic's
sovereignty and maintaining national security.

Article 30 of the 1945 Constitution says that each citizen has
the right and responsibility to defend the state.

Feisal said a trained civilian militia could serve as
reinforcement for the Indonesian Military and National Police.

Only citizens between the ages of 18 and 45 are eligible to
join the militia. Recruitment of the civilian militia would be
conducted by the Ministry of Defense and Security in cooperation
with state institutions where the recruits are employed.(amd)