Military officers ordered to jump into security mode

JAKARTA (JP): Jakarta Military Commander Maj. Gen. Wiranto ordered yesterday local military officers not to wait for a command from their superiors in tackling security problem and disturbance in their territories.

"I hope any problem and disturbance can be handled by local officers as soon as possible, without waiting for orders from their superiors," Wiranto said in his speech at a ceremony for the induction of the new South Jakarta Military District chief.

At the ceremony Wiranto installed Lt. Col. Yudo Lelono as the new chief of the South Jakarta Military District, replacing Lt. Col. Priyo Handoko.

Initiative from officers, in settling security problems, is badly needed to help make the capital a clean, lively and safe city, he said.

Lelono, a graduate of the National Military Academy, is a former chief of the War Training Center of the City Military, while Handoko, a graduate of the same academy, will be promoted as an official of the territorial assistant department of the Armed Forces.

Wiranto asked the new officer to increase professionalism and improve sensitivity for any indication of security disturbance. "Keep an eye on troubled areas, in connection with aspects of geography and demography, as well as the social condition," he said.

He also urged his officers to anticipate both the positive and negative potentials of any area, which can also affect security.

The commander warned that the current national development will also bring about some negative impacts, particularly concerning security. The fast growing South Jakarta area, he said, will also face the same thing.

Acknowledging the rising trend in crime, Wiranto again ordered his personnel to help the police in maintaining security in the city.

"I see that criminals are becoming increasingly sadistic. Help the police in their fight against crooks," he said. (29)