Reports of Indonesians joining Singapore's military

JAKARTA (JP): The Indonesian Embassy in Singapore is studying recent reports a number of Indonesians have become members of Singapore's military after joining the island-state's conscription program.

"Indonesians wishing to join the military in Singapore should first obtain a permit from the Ministry of Justice as Indonesia only recognizes one nationality," Indonesian Ambassador to Singapore H.B.L. Mantiri was quoted by Antara as saying in Singapore on Tuesday.

He said Indonesians who joined Singapore's military without the justice ministry's permission could have their citizenship revoked.

He cited a reportedly growing interest among Indonesian youths living in Singapore to become military personnel under that country's conscription program. However, no further details were given by Mantiri.

"Up until now, we are still facing difficulty in obtaining data on the actual number of Indonesians who have joined the military in Singapore," he said.

He attributed the situation to the Indonesians' poor understanding of the relevant legalities in Indonesia. He also said it was believed those who joined the military training were youths who were lured by the relatively high salary they received in Singapore.

Separately, Minister of Justice Muladi on Wednesday urged the Singapore government to explain its conscription of Indonesians.

Muladi was quoted by Antara as saying an explanation was needed as a sign of Singapore's respect for Indonesian law. He said he regretted what he believed was a reluctance on the part of the Singapore government to provide information about the conscriptions.

"They said they did not have any obligation to provide us with that information," Muladi said. "This has become a government-to- government matter, so we need cooperation to clarify things. This is a question of partnership and good will, because they still have to respect our laws."

Meanwhile, students in Yogyakarta and Semarang protested on Wednesday what they called "militarism" in Indonesia. The protest in Semarang was sparked by an incident on Tuesday when police struck student demonstrators marking Independence Day, injuring at least five.

The students claimed they were holding a peaceful demonstration which should not have been met with violence by police. "We are humans, not animals that can be treated brutally," they said on Wednesday.

Central Java Police chief Maj. Gen. Nurfaizi expressed disappointment that the students chose to mark Independence Day with a demonstration. In addition, the students failed to give police prior notification of the demonstration as required by law, he said.

In Yogyakarta, members of Student Solidarity for People's Sovereignty protested military violence in several regions, lowering an Indonesian flag to half mast in a show of mourning for victims of military violence. (05/44/har)