President, TNI united in defense of troops actions

President, TNI united in defense of troops actions

JAKARTA (JP): Despite perceived tension between President
Abdurrahman and the Indonesian Military (TNI) recently, both made
a united stand on Friday in defense of the much-criticized action
of joint security troops stationed in the riot-torn Maluku
capital of Ambon.

Speaking in a public dialog at the Palace's Baiturrahim
Mosque, the President said troops were acting in self defense
when they took strict measures against an armed group during a
series of clashes recently.

"What happened in Maluku was actually caused by unilateral
movements to attack the state apparatus. The troops were in
defensive position and were forced to open fire, causing some
fatalities," the President said.

However, the President also promised to take strong measures
if military personnel were later proven guilty of committing
human rights violations.

While throwing his weight behind the troops' actions, TNI
spokesman Rear Air Marshal Graito Usodo maintained that there was
no plan to withdraw the troops following the clashes, which
claimed at least 20 lives, including one soldier, and wounded 30
others.

"So far, we have not found any indication that the troops had
made any blunder in carrying out their duties. Of course, the
investigation continues.

"The troops are professional. They have done a great job in
handling such riots," Graito said at a press conference.

Graito also said the replacement of outgoing Pattimura
Military commander Brig. Gen. I Made Yasa was not related to the
incident.

TNI has claimed that 15 armed civilians, whom it identified as
members of Lasykar Jihad, were arrested in connection with the
clash.

A wave of condemnation has been aired by Muslim groups and
students against Yasa in connection with the three-day incident,
occurring between June 12 and June 14 in Galunggung and Kebon
Cengkih areas in Ambon.

On Thursday, the Indonesian Council of Ulemas (MUI) and
several other Islamic organizations urged the House of
Representatives to summon the TNI chief for clarification over an
attack on a medical clinic belonging to the Lasykar Jihad Muslim
group in Ambon. The hearing is scheduled to take place on Monday.

The groups' leaders, including MUI's deputy chairman Amidhan,
insisted that the raid had resulted in 23 deaths, 41 civilian
injuries and the disappearance of four others. He demanded the
military bring Yasa before a military or human rights tribunal.

The groups also accused activists of the Republic of South
Maluku (RMS) separatist movement of masterminding the incident.

Separately, the Military Police chief Maj. Gen. Djasri Marin
said that in the next seven to 10 days, he would send a team to
investigate whether the troops had committed human rights
violations.

Meanwhile, North Maluku acting governor Muhyie Effendi said
that although security in the province has been restored, the
local government will maintain the state of civil emergency in a
bid to speed up the rehabilitation programs there.

He said that security and order in his territory had gradually
returned to normal and no more violence had broken out in the
province due to the strict imposition of the emergency status
over the last three months.

"We are happy that daily life is back to normal especially
among people from the conflicting groups. Locals in predominantly
Muslim Tobelo and those in predominantly Christian Galela have
exchanged visits and are working together to rehabilitate all
facilities and houses damaged during the recent bloody clashes,"
he said after meeting with Minister of Home Affairs and Regional
Autonomy Surjadi Soedirdja.

He said the security situation had returned to normal
following the issuance of a decree that banned arms assembling
and trading, mass gatherings and possession of communications
equipment.

The state of civil emergency would only be lifted when all
refugees returned to their home villages and renovation of
damaged facilities was completed, according to Muchyie.

He also said that the provincial legislative council is
preparing for a gubernatorial election later this month.

Former state minister of youth affairs Abdul Gafur of the
Golkar Party, Rushdi Hanafie of the United Development Party and
Machmud Primadoya of the Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle
will contest the first gubernatorial election. (02/prb/rms)