Public furious at Tramtib's violence, demand changes

Rendi A. Witular, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta

Due to its alleged "inhuman and violent practices" recently, the City Public Order Agency (Tramtib) has come under strong criticism from some members of the public and non-governmental organizations, with some groups calling for its dissolution.

Daniem, an illegal street vendor operating in the vicinity of the Hotel Indonesia traffic circle in Central Jakarta, slammed the violent practices conducted by Tramtib.

"They've torn down my cart arbitrarily 5 times already. They also took my cart and merchandise to Cakung in East Jakarta. I was tried there and then fined Rp 35,000 every time I want to take back my belongings," she said, adding that she also had to rent a truck for about Rp 150,000 every time she wanted to transport her belongings.

Another victim of Tramtib was Untung, a street vendor operating in Jl. Sudirman in Central Jakarta. He was once hit by a Tramtib officer when he failed to move his cart off the premises in a prompt manner.

"I hate them because they're always rude. We're just trying to earn a living here without causing any harm to anybody. They must stop using force," he said.

Ailing, a victim of the ID card (KTP) raids on Tuesday in Pejagalan subdistrict, North Jakarta, said that after she was slapped by a Tramtib officer her resentment toward the agency had deepened even more.

"I swear I will sue them soon... this is a heavy violation against our rights", she said while tears flowed.

The city administration has at least 3600 Tramtib officers in its five mayoralties. They consist of 1000 members of the civil service police (Satpol), 2300 members of the civilian assistance to police (Banpol) and 300 former military and police personnel who are nearing retirement.

The administration has allocated some Rp 65 billion (US$6.5 million) for the Tramtib operation. They are also armed with guns.

When asked to comment on the public criticism, Tonni Boediono, the head of the North Jakarta Public Order Office, who reportedly slapped two girls, including Ailing, during ID card raids on Tuesday, denied that his institution had adopted violent practices.

"There's no such thing (as violence within our agency). We're just attempting to defend ourselves from their attacks. If we are caught slapping someone, then the mayor will scorn us", he said.

When asked how he felt after the slapping incident, Tonni, in a relaxed tone, said that it was a usual practice and he was only carrying out his duties.

Eyewitnesses however, claim they saw him slap the two girls during Tuesday's raids. He also reportedly hit Lukman, the secretary of a neighborhood unit in Pejagalan subdistrict in North Jakarta, when he tried to calm down the angry officer.

The secretary for National Human Rights Commission (Komnas HAM), Asmara Nababan, said that Tramtib was not effective in enforcing law and order because they tend to be repressive.

"Tramtib always triggers violence among the public. Their violent practices have caused them to fail in maintaining the city's law and order. They have to adopt a more human approach," said Asmara.

R.J.Sudrijanta, the coordinator of the Network Against Forced Eviction (JAP), a non-governmental organization, said that Tramtib's methods of maintaining law and order in the city violated human rights, as it adopted inhuman and violent practices.

Sudrijanta said that his organization had appealed to the city administration to shut down the institution as they had made no contribution at all to the welfare or the order of the city.

"They always cause destruction and suffering to the public. Due to Tramtib's ineffective measures in maintaining law and order, the administration should liquidate its existence," he said.

Riots allegedly triggered by Tramtib operations in 2001: 1. Jan. 19, 2001, Tramtib vs illegal street vendors, National Monument Park (Monas), Central Jakarta, 5 vendors injured.; 2. Mar. 30, 2001, Tramtib vs illegal street vendors, Kebayoran Lama market, South Jakarta; 3. Apr. 18, 2001, Tramtib vs illegal street vendors, National Monument and Gambir railway station, Central Jakarta.; 4. May 17, 2001, Tramtib vs food cart vendors, Jl. Pramuka, Central Jakarta.; 5. Aug. 14, 2001, Tramtib vs pedicab drivers, Roxy shopping center, Central Jakarta.; 6. Aug. 22, 2001, Tramtib vs pedicab drivers, Jl. R.E. Martadinata, North Jakarta.; 7. Aug. 23, 2001, Tramtib vs illegal squatters, Berikat Nusantara Area, North Jakarta.; 8. Aug. 29, 2001, Tramtib vs illegal street vendors, Jl. Sudirman, Central Jakarta.; 9. Oct. 4, 2001. Tramtib vs pedicab drivers, Penjaringan subdistrict, North Jakarta.; 10. Oct. 25, 2001, Tramtib vs squatters, Ancol subdistrict, North Jakarta.; 11. Nov. 31, 2001, Tramtib vs squatters, West Flood Canal, North Jakarta.; 12. December 20, 2001, Tramtib vs illegal vendors, National Monument, Central Jakarta.;