Soldiers attack and loot hamlets
Andi Hajramurni The Jakarta Post/Makassar
A group of infantry soldiers, including their commander, are facing dismissal for attacking and looting houses in three remote South Sulawesi hamlets, in a blow to the military's efforts to restore its tarnished image.
Wirabuana Military commander overseeing Sulawesi Maj. Gen. Arief Budi Sampurno said during his visit to the hamlets on Wednesday that he would discharge members of the 700th Raider Infantry Battalion and their chief Lt. Col. Sapto Agustono for the incident, which he described as "brutal".
"We will dismiss not only the soldiers who perpetrated the brutal acts, but their commander as well in accordance with the line of responsibility. I am also prepared to be dismissed if my superiors have lost confidence in my leadership," an apparently angry Arief said.
An internal investigation is underway into a group of soldiers who ran amok on Tuesday and raided at least 82 houses in Karama, Bonto Gaddong and Ujung Moncong hamlets in Bandri Manurung village, Jeneponto regency, 80 kilometers south of the provincial capital of Makassar.
Five residents and a police officer were injured in the predawn attack, which also involved dozens of people from outside the villages.
To the embarrassment of Arief, the rampaging soldiers also looted shop merchandise including oil, cigarettes and basic commodities, including 17 sacks of rice for the poor in a store at the house of Bandri Manurung village head Rustam Baso Jaya.
Witnesses said the attack followed an argument on Saturday between one of the soldiers, First Pvt. Haeruddin, and Pantai Bahari village head Syaiful Mustamu Karaeng Moncong, who lives in Bandri Manurung village. Haeruddin was beaten up after his motorcycle crashed into Syaiful's car. The soldier was admitted to the hospital with head wounds.
Arief conveyed his apology to local residents for the incident and ordered his soldiers to help rebuild the houses.
The trauma, however, remained, with some residents who had fled their houses during the attack saying they would not return home until peace had been fully restored.
"Armed with sharp weapons, the soldiers jumped out of a number of trucks and cars and suddenly ransacked our houses and smashed our cars, motorbikes and home appliances. They also beat several people because they refused to lead them to village head Syaiful," a resident, Syahruddin, recounted.
He suffered injuries to his head as a result of being beaten by the soldiers.
One resident, Syahrir, is still undergoing treatment at Labuang Baji Hospital in Makassar for stab wounds, while a police officer, Brig. Sapri, is being treated at Bayangkara Police Hospital, also in Makassar. Sapri said he was beaten up by the soldiers while attempting to stop the attack.
Spokesman for Wirabuana Military Command Maj. Rustam Effendi denied reports that the soldiers had stolen rice meant for the poor.
"What would they do with the rice? They rarely cook. Besides, it was impossible for them to take away over a dozen of sacks in just a short time," Rustam said.
Jeneponto Police chief Adj. Sr. Comr. Iwan Pusodjo said a group of people had taken the advantage of the rampage to steal goods belonging to local residents.
He said a joint police and military team was investigating the matter.