Police vow to crush violent demonstrations

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)