Military raids nab wayward soldiers

JAKARTA (JP): About 80 disobedient military officers are netted each month during routine raids against personnel around the city, an officer said yesterday.

Jakarta Military Command spokesman Lt. Col. D.J. Nachrowi said officers had been busted for violating regulations, ranging from hanging around at entertainment centers or nightspots without an official assignment, violating traffic rules and dressing carelessly.

"About 20 to 25 percent of the officers were netted at various nightspots," he told The Jakarta Post.

"I'd say that the number of disobedient personnel can still be considered small compared to total personnel of around 100,000 in Greater Jakarta."

He said that the raids had been conducted at least twice a month lately.

Nachrowi said the raids were enforcing an official telegram from the Armed Forces Commander in 1983 which prohibited military personnel from visiting entertainment centers, including pubs, brothels, discotheques, massages parlors and steam baths.

The officers could enter these centers only if they had been officially assigned to secure the premises by their commanders, he said.

"However, we would hardly instruct our personnel to secure those places on a regular basis," he said. "We'd assign them only if there is a special event which needs intensive security."

Nachrowi said the violation of traffic regulations also caused the downfall of some officers.

"Some of them don't wear helmets, while some others don't have driving licenses."

In a related development, Army spokesman Brig. Gen. Rovik Mukav said over the weekend that violations of traffic regulations were the most common misconduct within the Armed Forces.

"About 148 of the violation cases are related to traffic regulation," he said without providing further details.

Rovik said that around 400 Armed Forces personnel had been sanctioned between April and July this year for violating various procedures and regulations.

Meanwhile, Army Chief of Staff Gen. Wiranto yesterday said that the lack of discipline among many officers was the reason behind their imperfect performance.

Wiranto said more efforts were still needed to improve the officers' conduct.

"Stronger action is needed in the monitoring and evaluation of the degree of discipline, as well as giving sanctions to those who have violated the rules," he said.

Robik said that the Armed Forces would continue to be strict with personnel.

"Law enforcement within the Armed Forces is serious," Robik said. "People should believe that all personnel who violate regulations will be properly punished." (cst)