May riots bring riches to military officers

May riots bring riches to military officers

JAKARTA (JP): In one man's misery lies another's good fortune
sums up the windfall for military members following the May
riots. In the climate of fear still prevailing in the city, many
soldiers were paid handsomely for a few days' work of guarding a
private home.

In calmer times, the guarding of a residential area was
entrusted to the civilian security unit personnel, or satpam,
usually positioned at the entrance or exit of the area. Many
residents also hired their own household guards.

The May riots brought home with a thud the inability of a
small band of guards to do much against mobs bent on looting and
vandalism. Many residents now want security beefed up, including
guards with safety equipment like firearms, tear gas and armored
vehicles, to act as a deterrent against rampaging mobs.

Military members fit the bill. Susy, not her real name, who
sells auto accessories and lives in an elite housing complex in
North Jakarta, said her neighborhood was plundered during the
unrest even though most of the houses were guarded by private
security guards.

A few days after the riots the residents demanded from the
complex's management a guarantee of the safety of their property.
After several tough discussions, an agreement was reached to
increase the number of guard checkpoints, construct barricades at
all the access points and request the aid of about 30 military
personnel.

Susy, a mother of one, said the presence of the military made
her feel more secure when she stayed home alone. The soldiers are
accommodated in empty houses and shop-houses, and each household
contributes Rp 500,000 a month for their services.

The military is on a 24-hour vigil and occasionally patrols
the complex, especially the border area between the residential
complex and the outside neighborhood. The soldiers and residents
are on familiar terms, with the latter sometimes giving food or
tips. "Yes, it keeps their spirits high to maintain security
here," Susy said with a smile.

Alex, not his real name, also pays for military protection but
he escaped Susy's harrowing experience. Alex, a private bank
manager living in an elite housing complex in North Jakarta, said
the residents heard rumors of the riots a few days before they
happened. Each home contributed Rp 25,000 per week to have
military personnel in the area, complete with armored vehicles to
guard the entrance of the large housing complex the size of an
independent town.

The complex was spared during the riots.

Alex said he did not know the exact cost of the military
services because it was handled by the complex management.

Alex said he felt safe staying at home during the critical
period. He heard from many friends living in other residential
complexes that they did not want to remain in their homes and
there were some who even fled abroad due to fears of a mass
attack. He believed the military personnel guarding his area had
a big role in maintaining the safety in the area. They guarded
each entrance and exit, and diligently patrolled the complex.

Agus, not his real name, an ethnic Chinese timber trader, also
sought the help of the military. He lives in South Jakarta and
knew an officer from one of the Armed Forces. He asked his friend
to send one of his men to guard his house.

His friend dispatched a young sergeant who stayed in the house
for two weeks. However, the sergeant did not stay the whole day
because he was on duty during the morning. He arrived at 2 p.m.
and stayed until morning.

Agus handed over Rp 7 million to his friend and the sergeant.
But he felt the expense was worth his peace of mind. He did not
have to worry about his personal safety or that of his family
during the critical times.

Sgt. Ridwan, not his real name, agreed the riots had indeed
brought luck to some members of the military. He said that the
day after the riots his superior told him to stand guard at his
friend's house.

Ridwan received millions of rupiah to stay round the clock for
four days. His superior's friend, a businessman who lives in an
elite residential area, was "generous" as he also provided free
meals and drinks and allotted a daily bonus of thousands of
rupiah.

Of course, he had no difficulty in getting four days' leave
because his superior had assigned him to outside duty. Ridwan,
whose is based in South Jakarta, said he was not the only one of
his colleagues to profit from the riot fallout.

One of Ridwan's friends guarded a banker's house for one month
and was compensated so well that he bought a car. As for the
leave from his unit, it could be arranged with the superior,
according to Ridwan. The well-built bachelor said his side job
did not endanger his military career because it all was in the
line of duty according to his superior's assignment.

Amir, not his real name, whose headquarters are in East
Jakarta, admitted he was asked repeatedly to guard a residential
complex after the riots.

According to the officer, he and his men were requested by
several "community members" to patrol an area home to a number of
luxurious houses. They complied, but he did not wear a uniform
for fear he would be spotted moonlighting.

"I cannot wear my uniform because there is an authority in the
area," he said.

-- The article is a translation of a piece from the September
edition of Tiara monthly. It is printed here courtesy of Tiara.