Move to stop paramilitary training gains support

JAKARTA (JP): Coordinating Minister for Political, Social and Security Affairs Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono voiced his full support on Wednesday for all efforts conducted by the National Police to maintain security in the capital and other regions.

"I urge all parties to restrain themselves in responding to political developments. I also ask those involved in paramilitary training, which will only provoke violence, to stop," Susilo told reporters on the sidelines of a discussion on the security and political condition in Indonesia, held by the International Council on World Affairs (ICWA).

He said that, during a routine breakfast at Vice President Megawati Soekarnoputri's residence on Wednesday, the security authorities agreed that all parties should look for a peaceful solution to the country's political problems.

Separately, in Ciampea, Bogor, Army Chief of Staff Gen. Endriartono Sutarto said the Army was ready to support the National Police to quell rioters, including the ready-to-die NU members who are threatening to carry out a jihad to defend the President.

"The Army will take all measures to secure the capital on April 29 and April 30, if the President's supporters provoke civil unrest here," Endriartono said as quoted by Koridor.com.

Meanwhile, National Police chief Gen. Surojo Bimantoro renewed his statement condemning training activities run by the Defenders of Truth force as military training.

"We will not dispute their activities if they only perform pencak silat (martial art) exercises. But, what the organization has been doing is practicing military-style group and individual attacks," he said as quoted by Antara in Balikpapan, East Kalimantan.

Chairman of the Muslim organization Muhammadiyah, Syafi'i Maarif, asked the President to calm his supporters down.

"If the President issues a severe warning to his supporters, I'm sure they will obey him. I also suggest political leaders stop encouraging groups from staging pro and anti-government rallies," Syafi'i, a member of the Supreme Advisory Council (DPA), said.

Separately, deputy chairman of Nahdlatul Ulama (NU) Achmad Bagdja questioned accusations made by the security authorities on the training activities of the Defenders of Truth (PBK) ready-to- die force as deliberately disruptive.

"What's wrong with that? I guess we cannot blame people for joining such training in an effort to defend their leader," Achmad, also a DPA member, said.

In Surabaya, capital of East Java, activists of the Defenders of Truth force pledged on Wednesday to amass in Jakarta and occupy the House of Representatives (DPR) if the second memorandum is issued against the President.

"We are ready and will occupy the House if legislators issue the second memorandum. We are prepared for all the risks involved," coordinator of the group Wiro Sugiman said on Wednesday at East Java's National Awakening Party (PKB) office on Jl. Kapuas 58 in Surabaya.

Wiro said the first wave of the group, including some 460 trained personnel from Banyuwangi, will leave for Jakarta on April 24.

As of Wednesday, around 20 field coordinators of the force have trained and filled their bodies with "inner strength" by influential Kyai (religious leader) KH. Syamsudin from Banten.

Records show that there have been a total of 55,700 people -- including 30 retired military officers -- who have joined the ready-to-die force.

In Bandung, capital of West Java, it is also reported that some 500,000 NU followers in the province will join Istighotsah prayers in Jakarta on April 29.

Ahead of the visit of Golkar chairman Akbar Tandjung to Purwokerto, Central Java, on Thursday, the party's local executives have prepared their own ready-to-die force to protect their leaders and party assets.

The group, meant to counter the ongoing training done by President Abdurrahman's die-hard supporters, was prepared to defend the party's dignity, secretary of Golkar's Central Java branch Koco Suroso said.

"As our party is always cornered by the so-called reform movement, do we have to remain silent all the time in response to their prolonged reproach? Of course not. Here, we have collected our youth and grouped them in Satgas Anti Terror, an anti-terror task force, who are prepared to fight to the end," he told The Jakarta Post late on Tuesday.

A coach, Ahmad Mukto, has been appointed to train Golkar youths in supernatural powers and martial art skills.

Contacted separately, Ahmad said that a target of 6,000 personnel had been set.

Banyumas Police chief Comr. Nata Kesuma confirmed that Golkar executives had asked police to assist in training their anti- terror task force but only for the purposes of marching. (02/25/45/edt/nur/ylt)