Military to help city fight street crime

JAKARTA (JP): The Greater Jakarta military commander, Maj. Gen. Sutiyoso, said yesterday that he is ready to back up Governor Surjadi Soedirdja in battling hoodlums.

Sutiyoso said that troops could be sent wherever and whenever they were needed to combat the hoodlums, whose activities have reached an "intolerable level."

"They have disturbed public order. That must be curbed properly," he said yesterday after inaugurating the Armed Forces Rural Civic Program in North Jakarta.

He asked people to report to the military command if they ever saw hoodlums in action in their area. Public participation is needed to help reduce crimes committed by the hoodlums, the general stressed.

"Just name the criminals, we will catch them," Sutiyoso said.

Governor Surjadi has asked Jakartans to be brave and fight criminals and hoodlums.

"Unfortunately, the people do not seem to be uniting to combat criminals. People should campaign hand in hand to tackle them," Surjadi said when inaugurating the city public order officers on Friday.

An antique trader was stabbed to death by three drunk men on Jl. Kali Baru, Senen district, Central Jakarta on Saturday. The victim, Dadang Iskandar, was stabbed after he refused to give money to the men, who are known as notorious hoodlums in the area.

Such lawbreakers operate in public places in the city, including shopping centers, railway stations and bus terminals.

On Monday, Police shot to death a hoodlum in Kampung Rambutan bus terminal. The hoodlum, identified as Roy Manulang, often asked drivers and passengers for money.

Massive crackdowns against hoodlums and street criminals were conducted by police and troops following the killing of a police officer in the Blok M area shopping center last year.

Hundreds of people were arrested, but released after being taught military discipline and practical skills, in the hope that they could get a job for their future. Many of them have, however, returned to the street. (jun)