Police decline Kopassus help in Jakarta 'cleansing'

Police decline Kopassus help in Jakarta 'cleansing'

JAKARTA (JP): Jakarta Military Chief Maj. Gen. Hendroprijono
has politely turned down an offer from Kopassus, the Army's most
fearsome unit, to help fight crime in the city.

"There is no need to call on the Kopassus in the current
operation to crack down on criminals here," Hendro told reporters
on Saturday when he attended the force's 42nd anniversary
ceremony in its headquarters in Cijantung, East Jakarta.

On a separate occasion, Minister of Defense and Security Gen.
(ret) Edi Sudradjat, who is former Kopassus, also said that the
police should spearhead any campaign against crime.

"If they need help, then why not," the retired general said
when asked to comment on the use of the red-beret elite force.

"The offer was made out of solidarity," he added.

Kopassus commander Brig. Gen. Agum Gumelar last week offered
his force to help with the Operation Cleansing, a major campaign
involving 16,700 officers to fight crime in Jakarta. This
operation was put into effect by Hendro last week.

The offer came in the wake of a series of brutal murders in
Jakarta, including the killing of one of Kopassus's former top
officers, Brig. Gen. T.M.F. Tampubolon, near his home in East
Jakarta early this month.

Hendro denied that Agum's offer had anything to do with the
killing of Tampubolon, pointing out the four men suspected for
the crime had already been apprehended and were now being
processed by the police.

Hendro said every suspect netted during the operation would be
processed in accordance with the law.

The massive operation targets areas and spots most vulnerable
and notorious for crimes, including public buses, markets and
supermarkets.(rms)

Kopassus -- Page 2

Murderers -- Page 3