Police vow to crush violent demonstrations

JAKARTA (JP): National Police Chief Gen. Surojo Bimantoro issued on Tuesday a shoot-on-sight order for those who attempt to incite violence in rallies to be held while the House of Representatives (DPR) legislators convene to hear President Abdurrahman Wahid's reply to a memorandum of censure on Wednesday.

"If the rallies turn ugly and pose a threat to the lives of security personnel and general public, the shoot-on-sight order is allowed.

"This warning is aimed at all groups, both supporters and those against the government. We are going to take stern measures against them," Bimantoro said in the West Nusa Tenggara capital of Mataram as quoted by Antara.

Separately, chief of the People's Consultative Assembly (MPR)/DPR VIP security guards Adj. Sr. Comr. Aqil said 26 companies of troops were in place in anticipation of rallies on Wednesday.

The personnel comprise 12 companies of Mobile Brigade (Brimob), five companies of riot police and nine companies of artillery and cavalry troops from the City Military Command, Aqil said. The City Police will also deploy motorcycle troops and 60 policewomen whose task will be to negotiate with demonstrators.

"The security of the President himself will be handled by the VVIP presidential guards," Aqil said.

Two helicopters from the Indonesian Air Force and National Police are also ready to fly the President in or out of the House compound in case a huge crowd block access to the venue.

"Demonstrators will be barred from entering the House building while the President is there," Aqil said.

He added the police would not be armed with live bullets in handling the rioters.

Smarting from the previous rallies which saw thousands of demonstrators occupy the House building, the security authorities erected over the weekend a two-meter fiberglass wall separating the front and rear gates and the House building.

Meanwhile, thousands of President Abdurrahman "Gus Dur" Wahid supporters, mostly from East Java, marched across the city's thoroughfares upon arrival by train here on Tuesday.

During the march, the people waved banners which read: "Down with Amien Rais", "Dissolve Golkar", and "We are ready to die for Gus Dur".

Some legislators called on both supporters and opponents of Gus Dur to stay off the streets on Wednesday.

M.S. Kaban, a legislator of the Crescent Star Party (PBB), said the presence of demonstrations would only tarnish the image of the President and the House.

"People should trust the House in carrying out its constitutional duties," he said.

Didi Supriyanto of the Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDI Perjuangan) said certain political parties should also avoid a mass mobilization in a bid to prevent bloodshed between rival groups.

"The people should respect the President's response to the memorandum, regardless of the House's response to it," he said.

Achmad Muqowam of the United Development Party (PPP) faction said the demonstration would not influence the House in evaluating the President's response.

"The House will not justify a breach of the constitution in propelling the President's resignation. Everybody must respect the House's commitment to upholding the constitution," he said. (02/dja/rms)