Presidential Guard gets downsized
The Jakarta Post, Jakarta
The Presidential Guard has been significantly reduced in size as part of a program to improve efficiency in the unit, says the commander of the force, Maj. Gen. Nono Sampurno.
The two-star general also disclosed that the cavalry unit and armored vehicles which had previously been attached to the Presidential Guard had been returned to Army headquarters.
"Thanks to this reorganization, the Guard is more efficient both as regards structure and manpower," Nono told a hearing with the House security commission here on Wednesday.
There are now 2,434 soldiers in the unit, down from 3,376 prior to the restructuring.
Nono was accompanying State Secretary Bambang Kesowo during the hearing.
The Presidential Guard commander said the force had also cut the number of guards who accompanied the head of state during overseas visits.
Nono said the reduction was made possible as the unit sent advance teams to the countries the president would visit to prepare the security arrangements. This practice had been followed for the past few years.
"These teams are assigned to survey the situation a few days before the president's arrival," he said.
The number of members of Indonesian advance teams, according to Nono, was less than 10, compared to the between 30 and 40 usually sent by the Malaysian security authorities and around 100 deployed by the United States.
Nono said the decision to implement the practice was because the Presidential Guard could coordinate with Indonesian defense attaches abroad.
Despite the new efficiency policy, Nono gave assurances that the unit still kept pace with international standards regarding security for presidents and state dignitaries.
Commenting on legislators' queries over the involvement of some Presidential Guard troops in common crimes, Nono denied allegations that these reflected poor discipline in the unit.
"We have, in fact, been improving the discipline of our troops," he added.
Presidential Guard data actually showed a decrease in the number of its personnel becoming involved in crime.
Seventy-six of its members committed violations in 2000, but this figure decreased by 15 percent in 2001, and further dwindled by 20 percent in 2002.
"The declining trend is the result of serious efforts to improve discipline," Nono said.
During the hearing, which was presided over by Effendy Choirie, deputy chairman of the security commission, Nono acknowledged that there was a correlation between the number of violations and the inadequate welfare of the unit's troops.
He said that each of his soldiers received only Rp 800,000 (US$89) per month to help secure the capital city Jakarta. Most of his troops did not own their own houses, but rather had to rent them.
Prompted by this, commanders in the military generally tolerated their men moonlighting to earn extra income.
"Usually, they work at night. And this increases the risk (of involvement in crime)," he said, adding that he would act strictly against errant personnel.