Public order officials likely to be insured

JAKARTA (JP): The City Public Order Agency has asked the city administration for insurance to protect its staff and their vehicles from the increasingly violent resistance shown by certain sections of the public to its operations.

"This is just a proposal. The agency must protect its staff and assets from any resistance from people," Thoha Reno, chief of the public facility order unit at the agency, said on Friday.

He said that city public order officials were prone to physical attacks from the public.

"Our officials have repeatedly been attacked by residents, while our official vehicles have also been the target of their anger," he said.

Thoha said an insurance scheme was especially important considering the city administration's recent decision to intensify its programs aimed at restoring public order in the city.

"That's the reason why have proposed to the administration to protect our staff through an insurance scheme allocated from the city budget," he said.

He said the agency had carried out and self-financed a similar scheme in 1995.

But it only lasted for a year, he said.

"The agency initially paid the insurance premiums, but could not afford to continue the scheme over the long term," the official said, but did not provide further details.

Governor Sutiyoso, backed by the Jakarta Military and Police, declared last month a commitment to restore security and public order in the capital, targeting vice and arresting people with "social welfare problems", such as three-in-one traffic jockeys, illegal traffic wardens, prostitutes, and street children and vendors.

The administration has attempted to carry out public order programs, but has complained of the absence of police officers to support and protect its officials.

Vagrants and street vendors in several places have pledged to wage war against on-duty officials.

On Wednesday, the agency reported that two official vehicles were attacked by vagrants and prostitutes during raids in North Jakarta.

Earlier this month, nine public order officials were injured after being attacked by hired security guards during an official raid to close down suspected gambling centers in the Mangga Dua area, Central Jakarta.

"With the intensification of public order programs, we are seeing more negative sentiments against our officials, even when they are just passing down the street.

"I think it's about time the administration considers better protection by providing our staff with an insurance scheme," Thoha said. (lup)