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