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)