Public order office insists on arming officers with guns

Damar Harsanto, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta

Despite mounting criticism, the city Public Order Office vowed to go forward with a plan to distribute guns to its officers, saying the step was necessary to maintain order and to allow the officers to protect themselves as they do their jobs.

Firman Hutajulu, the head of the Public Order Office, confirmed the plan on Friday, and stated that the city administration had purchased 75 FN .38 caliber guns.

"Some 45 of the guns will be distributed to the Public Order Office, while the rest will go to the city Transportation Office," Firman said.

He said his officers were still waiting for gun permits from the police.

"Our officers will be trained in how to use the guns. We expect the program will be finished in three months," he said.

Each gun, along with a license and training by the police, will cost Rp 25.2 million. The money will come from the city budget.

Last year, the Public Order Office purchased approximately 60 German-made gas pistols and pistols that fire rubber bullets, for Rp 22 million each. The city spent at least Rp 3 billion for the guns and to train the officers in their use.

Firman said his office had been using guns in their operations since the 1970s. "So, this policy has been in place for a long time."

He added that firearms were only used if the situation in the field became chaotic.

"We want to ensure the safety of our officers as well as the public," said Firman, adding that the guns would only go to the top-level field officers who passed psychological tests and a training course.

According to Law No. 8/1948 on the possession and use of firearms, a civilian is allowed to possess a gun only with a permit issued by the National Police.

But much of the concern from the public centers not on the firearms, but the people behind the guns.

"The plan to arm their officers with guns could backfire, because it could lead to serious confrontations between the officers and the public," said Tubagus Haryo Karbyanto, the head of the urban division of the Jakarta Legal Aid Institute.

Tubagus said the main problem was how the public order officers dealt with the people, which was key to their efforts to maintain security and order in the capital.

"Public order and security can only be realized if the officers take a humanistic approach rather than a military approach when dealing with the public," said Tubagus.

Tubagus said that over the past two years, the city's public order officers had become notorious for their "militaristic approach" in dealing with pedicab drivers, squatters and street vendors.

This approach had often resulted in clashes. The latest incident occurred on Thursday between officers from the North Jakarta Public Order Office and pedicab drivers in Tanjung Priok, leaving two cars damaged and three people injured.

"Don't think that by arming officers with more sophisticated weapons that security and order can be enforced. Rather, it could incite violent opposition from the public. Remember the public can also arm itself," warned Tubagus.

For this reason, Tubagus urged the administration to reject the plan and use the money for other programs.

He also questioned the level of public access to information about the criteria for choosing civilians for gun permits.

"How can we be sure that the man behind the gun is emotionally stable and psychologically sound, so that he will not harm the public?" Tubagus asked.