Sutiyoso takes hard line on errant subordinates

JAKARTA (JP): Jakarta Military Commander Maj. Gen. Sutiyoso vowed yesterday to take stern action against errant military personnel caught working for entertainment centers.

He said he would have such insubordinate members arrested because he had given plenty of warnings in the past. "Therefore, we will not condone any more violations by our members who are frequenting and working for nightspots like discotheques, and being hired to back up gambling dens," he said.

Speaking after installing Col. Hendardji as the new City Military Police Commander, Sutiyoso said that such undisciplined members would spoil the Armed Forces' reputation. The ceremony took place at the City Military Police Headquarters on Jl. Guntur, South Jakarta.

Col. Hendardji replaced Col. Djasri.

Sutiyoso said his office would make a list of entertainment centers which have been used as illegal drug trafficking centers, prostitution sites or illicit gambling dens.

"We will also reregister our members who have been suspected of backing up such places," the two-star general said.

He said crackdowns would be conducted before the fasting month and Idul Fitri festivities. "Usually, crime rates increase during Ramadhan."

Sutiyoso made his first threat against subordinates frequenting and working for nightspots last July following reports that several nightspots in the city were backed up by military personnel.

He said at that time that low incomes could not be considered an excuse for wanting to earn more money by acting as security guards at such establishments.

Sutiyoso's step seemed to work initially. However several months after his statement it was clear the previous state of affairs had returned, meaning many military personnel, including police officers, were frequenting such establishments and working for them.

In the Jakarta suburbs and many West Java towns most entertainment centers hire Armed Forces members and include many service personnel among their patrons.

However the city military made a new move Saturday when a team raided an illicit gambling den in Mangga Besar, West Jakarta, and arrested 331 people found on the site. They were all detained at the City Military Headquarters.

The military also confiscated gambling equipment and Rp 45 million (US$18,947) in cash from the alleged gamblers.

The Chief of the City Police detectives, Col. Paimin Aboeamr, said yesterday that 54 of the 331 suspects had been transferred to the police.

"But only 11 of them might be sent to court," Paimin said.

He said the suspects were the bosses, identified as Anton, Hong Hek An, and Ali Darmawan, the gamblers, Khen Chai, Amin, Budiman Santoso, Sumarto and Apin, and the den's employees, Ayen, Cheng Chen and Sa Chi.

Paimin said the remaining 43 people were spectators, cleaning service employees and billiard players. They would be released soon.

He said the police also arrested 19 men Sunday night in a raid on three illicit gambling dens in West Jakarta and Central Jakarta. "But only four of them are likely to be sent to court."

He said the police also confiscated Rp 12 million in cash and cheques worth Rp 20 million from the gamblers.

Last year, the police arrested 1,203 men and women in similar raids on illicit gambling dens. Almost 700 of the people were detained. "Some of them have been sent to court," Paimin said.

He said the police confiscated Rp 168.29 million in cash during raids last year. (jun)