Military goes ahead with militia recruitment
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)