MPR officials claim no electricity in barbed wire
JAKARTA (JP): Officials said on Thursday that pranksters were responsible for placing signs warning of electrified barbed wire at the People's Consultative Assembly/House of Representatives (MPR/DPR) compound.
The barbed wire and the signs -- publicized in front-page photographs in The Jakarta Post and Media Indonesia daily on Thursday -- remained in place on Thursday afternoon.
Secretary-general of the DPR/MPR Afif Ma'roef, Jakarta Police chief Maj. Gen. Noegroho Djajoesman and Mobile Brigade Corps Commander Brig. Gen. S.Y. Wenas said no official policy existed on the use of electrified barbed wire to secure the compound for the MPR Special Session opening on Nov. 10.
A reported 3,800 joint security apparatus -- backed by hundreds of civilian recruits from a total of 125,000 citywide -- have been deployed at the DPR compound. The military has assigned 20,000 personnel for the session costing Rp 13 billion (US$1.6 million).
Afif speculated that "mischievous people" created the signs, which warn of electrocution.
"No, there's no such thing nor official policy (to use electrified barbed wire). How could it be possible? Wouldn't it be a crime if someone got killed?" he said at his office.
A smiling Noegroho, who is in charge of the city's security during the four-day Special Session, said precautions were not that extreme.
Wenas believed the signs were placed by pranksters with nothing better to do.
"It violates human rights. No, we won't apply such means," Wenas told The Jakarta Post.
Heavy security is in place for the much-debated Special Session. The public is divided among those who believe it is important to address various political issues, and those who consider it a sham.
The latter side claims legislators are token figures put in place by the Soeharto regime and will merely perpetuate the status quo.
There have been many demonstrations against the session and more are expected. In line with the controversial new law on freedom of expression, police have received notification of several upcoming protesters.
Although supporters have joined the Armed Forces (ABRI) in securing the political event, some opposition groups, mainly composed of university students, have threatened to take over the legislative building.
During the last days of Soeharto's rule, thousands of university students occupied the building for three days. They were flushed out of the compound a day after Soeharto stepped down on May 21.
Distance
Djajoesman and Afif on Thursday said they would impose a new regulation stipulating the permitted distance of protesters to the legislative compound.
They cited Law. No. 9/1998 on freedom of expression in public spaces. It allows people to protest no closer than 500 meters from the gate of "vital national sites".
Djajoesman said the 500-meter distance would permit protesters to demonstrate near the Manggala Wanabhakti building, Senayan amusement park, Senayan eastern parking lot and along the street in front of the state-run TVRI television station along to near the Mulia Senayan Hotel.
He argued the measures would guarantee peaceful expression of public aspirations and preclude violence.
Djajoesman said security personnel were prepared. "Let's create a conducive environment for the session ... it can be cheerful, but please be peaceful."
Separately on Thursday, Navy Commander Rear Adm. Widodo AS said the Navy had deployed six warships in Jakarta waters.
"The operation is for supporting security in the capital (Jakarta)," he was reported as saying Antara news agency in East Java's capital of Surabaya. (edt/aan)