Military vows to help police halt illegal trade of weapons
Military vows to help police halt illegal trade of weapons
CILODONG, Bogor (JP): The Indonesian Military (TNI) vowed to
support the National Police's crackdown on illegal arms sales
among civilians, including weapons smuggled to the separatist
Free Aceh Movement (GAM).
TNI spokesman Air Rear Marshal Graito Usodo said on Monday an
order had been issued to the three branches of the armed forces
-- the Army, Navy and Air Force -- to assist the police in
seizing illegal weapons that might be used in crimes or
separatist activities.
"All military units across the country have been ordered to
help the police raid the trade of illegal weapons and seize all
the weapons spreading illegally in the country," Graito said on
the sidelines of a celebration marking the 32nd anniversary of
the Army's Strategic Reserve Command (Kostrad) here.
He was responding to fears that the trade of illegal weapons
in the country had reached an alarming level.
He said TNI was concerned about the alleged involvement of
servicemen in the attempted sale of weapons to GAM which was
foiled recently by the city police. TNI, he said, would learn
from the case and take strict measures against any soldiers
involved.
"They might not know that the weapons they sell fall into the
hands of Aceh rebels. But this is not an excuse for such
humiliating deeds," he said
Also attending the ceremony was Maj. Gen. Ryamizard Ryacudu,
chief of the Jakarta Military Command, who confirmed he had been
ordered by the Army chief to help the Jakarta Police end the
illegal sale of guns, which has raised fears of armed robberies
and shootings among city residents.
"The instruction was given because I am responsible for
security and order in the capital," he said.
He warned servicemen against misusing their guns for criminal
purposes, saying such actions violated the Criminal Code and the
TNI Code of Ethics.
However, he dismissed allegations that TNI members were
involved in the illegal sale of arms to GAM rebels.
"It is impossible for soldiers to sell their weapons to the
enemy. I do not believe that TNI members would commit such an
offense," he said.
The chief of the Military Police, Maj. Gen. Djasri Marin,
however, said his men had arrested two Army soldiers for their
alleged involvement in the sale of arms to Aceh.
"During questioning, the two, an Army sergeant and corporal,
admitted they bought a FN-45 pistol from a local man identified
as Benny. The deal occurred sometime in February. The gun was
then sold to an Acehnese, identified as Hanafiah. We have yet to
investigate whether he is a rebel or a broker," he said.
He said the two soldiers would stand trial in a military
tribunal in the near future, adding that the Military Police were
still searching for Benny.
He said the Military Police would continue to cooperate with
the police to prevent the misuse of guns among servicemen. (rms)