Military resorts set up to improve efficiency

JAKARTA (JP): The Jakarta Military Command formed on Thursday two military resorts, known locally as Korem, to oversee seven military districts in East and West Jakarta.

With the establishment of the Korem, the city military command will now directly command and supervise only the two new Korems and the Central Jakarta military district, or Kodim.

The East Jakarta Korem, 051/Wijayakarta, will oversee the East Jakarta, South Jakarta and Bekasi military districts, while the West Jakarta Korem, 052/Wijayakrama, will command the North Jakarta, West Jakarta and Tangerang military districts.

"It's aimed at making the command and supervision easier so the Jakarta military commander can solve problems more quickly and accurately," Army Chief of Staff, Gen. Subagyo Hadisiswoyo, told reporters after leading the inauguration ceremony at the city military command's headquarters in East Jakarta.

The four-star general dismissed the allegation that the establishment of the Korems, which are usually set up to cover vast areas, was an emergency measure to cope with the escalating number of street rallies ahead of next month's Special Session of the People's Consultative Assembly and next year's general election.

"Frankly speaking, it's not an emergency. It's an old concept," Subagyo said.

Jakarta Military Command spokesman Lt. Col. D.J. Nachrowi added that the idea to set up the Korems was first suggested when the then Maj. Gen. Wiranto held the position as Jakarta military commander from 1994 to 1996.

The East Jakarta's Korem is headed by Col. George Toisutta, 45, a 1976 Military Academy graduate, whose last post was commander of the base regiment of the Sriwijaya Military Command in South Sumatra. His office is located in the same building as the East Jakarta Military District on Jl. Sentra Primer Timur in Pulogebang.

Col. Tritamtomo, 47, a 1974 Military Academy graduate, who was assistant for operational affairs to the Jakarta military command's chief of staff, has been appointed chief of the West Jakarta Korem.

His office is in the PT Telkom building on Jl. S. Parman, West Jakarta. (ivy)