South Sulawesi councillors threatened, order pistols

South Sulawesi councillors threatened, order pistols

MAKASSAR, South Sulawesi (JP): Ten of the 75-strong South
Sulawesi Provincial Legislative Council have ordered the purchase
of pistols to protect themselves from physical threats, a
councillor confirmed on Thursday.

Councillor Yamin Amna from the People's Mandate faction
confirmed the order, saying: "We need the pistols for self-
defense. Threats against our lives have been increasing lately."

He admitted that he was among the ten councillors, but
declined to name others who had ordered the purchase of the FN-6
revolvers.

"I am one of them and have already ordered (the purchase)," he
told The Jakarta Post.

The pistols were ordered from a supplier PT Asta Karya
Multiguna. The company offered self-defense weapons from around
Rp 20 million (US$2,116) to Rp 30 million per piece.

Each pistol will be complete with a license, which will be
issued by the Makassar Police Headquarters.

Yamin said the pistols would not be lethal weapons as they
would only use gas and blanks.

"It will not be deadly as the pistols only use blank rounds or
gas," he said.

The planned purchase, however, has sparked controversy among
the public. Strong opposition has been launched by lawyers,
grouped under the Makassar Lawyers Club (MLC).

Chairman of MLC, Andi Rudiyanto Assapa, said the purchase of
pistols was irrational.

"They say the purchase of guns is to protect them from
protesters. This is illogical. Why should they be afraid of the
people whom they represent?" Andi said.

He said he would challenge any arguments put forward by the
members of the council on the planned purchase, citing that such
a plan would stir public anxiety.

"We will ask the police to check the purchase in an effort to
avoid public anxiety," he said.

Andi asked the councillors to remain calm as there were no
such threats to harm them.

However, Yamin said, possession of guns among local
councillors should not be challenged as many of their fellow
politicians in Jakarta carried guns for protection. (27/emf)