Shoot on the spot

Shoot on the spot

From Media Indonesia

I was startled on hearing that Minister of Defense and Security/Armed Forces (ABRI) Commander had issued an order to shoot all rioters on the spot.

At a time when the people do not trust ABRI and almost hate it, why did he make the statement? I am afraid the people's trust will further erode. He says that rioters are among the people who destroy and torch public facilities, loot shops and houses, and create chaos in the community. In my opinion these are the common people who only join the crowds because there are persons behind the action, in other words provocateurs. Now the provocateurs, who according to the Police Chief instigate the crowds and disappear when a riot starts, are free to proceed to other places to create other riots.

If ABRI intends to shoot on the spot rioters who are the common people, will such measures not trigger the people's hate?

I think it would be a good thing if the military were more proactive in taking preventive or precautionary measures. They did take some measures but failed to find any provocateurs. Perhaps military intelligence could be activated to probe the riots and detect the culprits. Also, the special forces planned can be assigned to look for provocateurs. Rioters can be interrogated to find out who gave them instructions. If only the rioters are shot at, the culprits will never be found.

The important thing is intention. If there is any seriousness, is it really impossible to discover the truth? In essence, if the Armed Forces takes the people's side, the aspersions directed toward it will cease and the people will show themselves to be just, as often demanded of them by Gen. Wiranto.

R.H. YANTOFANI

Tangerang, West Java