Sutiyoso takes hard line on errant subordinates

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)