Military goes ahead with militia recruitment
JAKARTA (JP): The city military command began recruiting 12,000 people for the People's Security (Kamra) in the capital as part of the Armed Forces' (ABRI) controversial militia recruitment plan, an official said.
The command's spokesman, Lt. Col. DJ. Nachrowi, said on Tuesday that the recruitment, which started on Jan. 11 and will last until March 12, targeted male Indonesian citizens between the ages of 18 and 45, who have at least junior high school diplomas.
Nachrowi said training of the recruits would begin on Feb. 1 at 14 ABRI training centers across the capital, including the command's main regimental headquarters in Condet, East Jakarta; the health training center in Kramat Jati, East Jakarta; and the traffic training center in Serpong, Tangerang.
"The training lasts for half a month. During the training each member will receive Rp 100,000," he said, adding that during their deployment each Kamra member would be paid Rp 200,000 per month.
Nachrowi said that Kamra's main goal would be to help security personnel safeguard the general election next June. "We don't know what the plan will be after that. Maybe the members can register themselves to join the military," he said.
Nachrowi stated that Kamra members would be trained to assist police in maintaining law and order.
"These men will be physically and mentally drilled to boost their strength and discipline. They will also be taught general knowledge, including human rights and law," he said.
He explained that the members of Kamra would be supervised by the city police, and would be authorized to carry out various police duties, ranging from checking ID cards, making arrests and taking information from suspects.
"They are not allowed to carry guns. They will only be equipped with rattan sticks and shields. They are also not organized to support certain political parties," Nachrowi said.
He said that any person interested in joining the program should register at one of the city's military sector commands, military district commands or police stations.
He also stated that prospective members would have to pass administration, physical health, ideology and psychology screening tests.
The planned establishment of the militia was introduced by Minister of Defense and Security/ABRI Commander Gen. Wiranto last month.
Amid strong criticism of the plan, Wiranto contended during a hearing of House Commission I for defense earlier this month that the plan was "part of ABRI's anticipatory action to help create a feeling of safety in society as well as to enforce the law and maintain stability".
Wiranto warned that crime, including riots, looting and arson, was expected to increase in the near future because of economic hardship and a prevailing ignorance of the law.
He also cited the shortage of police personnel, saying that the present ratio was 1 officer for every 1,000 citizens. In most countries, he added, the ratio was 1:300.
Wiranto also said that the government had earmarked Rp 298 billion in the 1999/2000 State Budget for the militia program, which would mainly be used to recruit, train, deploy and pay members.
Besides Kamra, other types of civilian security bodies, including the People's Resistance, aim at assisting authorities in maintaining defense and public order. (ivy)