Riau Malay Legion refuses to disband

Riau Malay Legion refuses to disband

PEKANBARU, Riau: The Riau Malay Legion, a militia organization
in Riau province, said on Monday that it would not comply with
the call by Indonesian Military (TNI) chief Gen. Endriartono
Sutarto for all civilian legions to dissolve themselves.

Legion commander Asman Yunus told journalists that his
organization would not dissolve itself because the police had not
been able to establish with the public a sense of security,
particularly the Riau Malays.

"The legion was not established to intimidate the people, but
to help the police promote security and order in the province,"
he said.

He noted that no legion members were allowed to carry firearms
or sharp weapons.

Asman disclosed that his legion was set up to help protect
Riau Malay leaders and the province's natural resources, because
Riau had always been exploited by irresponsible people, while the
public had been neglected.

He also pointed out that it had not been made clear which of
the civilian legions should dissolve themselves, and which could
be allowed to survive.

"If the call were directed at armed legions, that would be
understandable. However, the Riau Malay Legion has never armed
itself," he said.

The government has warmly welcomed the decision of Laskar?
Jihad to disband itself last month and to recall its members from
the country's conflict areas, particularly Ambon, Maluku province
and Poso, Central Sulawesi. --Antara