Police to crack down on 'Defenders of Truth' squad

Police to crack down on 'Defenders of Truth' squad

JAKARTA (JP): National Police chief Gen. Surojo Bimantoro
asserted on Monday that he has ordered a crackdown on
paramilitary training activities in East Java conducted by
civilians grouped under the "Defenders of Truth" squad (FPK) who
pledge to defend President Abdurrahman Wahid until the end.

"I've ordered the East Java Police chief (Insp. Gen. E.
Sutanto) to disband such activities, as civilians are clearly
banned from conducting military trainings," Surojo told reporters
as quoted by Antara after opening the Narcotics Law Enforcement
Training in Nusa Dua, Bali.

Earlier reports said that thousands of civilians have
conducted a series of military-style training exercises using
sharp weapons in remote jungles in Banyuwangi and Jember in East
Java.

Thousands of President Abdurrahman's hard-core followers have
pledged to defend him and are thronging Jakarta in support of
Abdurrahman, who is also the influential patron of the country's
largest Muslim organization Nahdlatul Ulama (NU).

"I have checked with the NU leaders and they said that such a
group -- who have been conducting military-style training -- is
not affiliated with NU," Bimantoro asserted.

Police have intensified sweeping operations and weapon checks
in every entry to the capital ahead of the April 30 plenary
session at the House of Representatives (DPR) which will hear the
response toward Abdurrahman's answer to the first memorandum.

Major factions at the House have indicated their wish to issue
a second memorandum to the President, which could lead to his
impeachment.

Separately, Vice President Megawati Soekarnoputri warned
Indonesian political parties on Monday against the use of
violence in the coming days, saying that it had no place in a
democratic nation.

"The Vice President stressed that all political parties must
make clear their stance against violence, by making an official
statement against it," chairman of the Nahdlatul Umat Party,
Syukron Ma'mun, said after meeting with the Vice President at her
office on Monday.

NU chairman Hasyim Muzadi confirmed last Saturday that the
organization had no intention of canceling their plan to hold a
istighotsah (mass prayer) in Jakarta on April 29, on the eve of
the House plenary session, which could result in the issuance of
a second memorandum against President Abdurrahman.

Outgoing city police chief Insp. Gen. Mulyono Sulaiman said on
Monday that Banser, the security task force of NU's youth wing
Ansor, would work together with the police in ensuring the
security of the capital on April 29.

People's Consultative Assembly (MPR) Speaker Amien Rais -- who
had been at odds with Abdurrahman long before the latter was
appointed as President -- expressed gratitude to NU ulemas for
sticking to the truth according to Islamic teachings by not
issuing orders to take stern measures against bughot (political
rebellion) and jihad (holy war) resolutions.

House Speaker Akbar Tandjung said it would be no problem for
the House if NU held mass prayers on April 29, as long as it did
not hamper the normal activities of the public.

But political analyst Riswandha Imawan said the mass prayers
would cost NU its reputation.

"People may say that NU will use the gathering as a political
maneuver. They (the people) will link the istighotsah with the
second memorandum," he said in Yogyakarta. (23/edt/nur/ylt/zen)