Sutiyoso tells Jakartans to protect themselves

Sutiyoso tells Jakartans to protect themselves

JAKARTA (JP): Governor Sutiyoso has encouraged Jakarta
residents to arm themselves and attack people attempting to
plunder their homes.

"Don't be afraid of robbers. Don't hesitate to use weapons to
protect yourselves... that's completely tolerable if it's for
self-defense," he said yesterday.

Sutiyoso made the statement amid widespread rumors about the
possibility of fresh riots on Monday, the 53rd anniversary of
Indonesian Independence.

Sutiyoso has previously urged the public not to believe the
rumors. "Don't believe these rumors because they are not true,
but remain vigilant nevertheless," he reiterated yesterday.

Despite Sutiyoso's insistence that the rumors are baseless,
both the military and police have pledged a large deployment of
their personnel to anticipate the unexpected.

Sutiyoso said that defending and protecting one's life, family
and property was an unquestionable right.

"Use any weapon -- clubs, spears, klewang (single-edge saber
with broad, curved blade), scissors, anything -- to defend
yourselves because those who might come to plunder in your
neighborhood will certainly not come with bare hands," he told
residents of Kelapa Gading in North Jakarta and Griya Agung and
Sumur Batu in Central Jakarta when he met them during a whirlwind
tour of their community security programs on Thursday night.

He said the program was very important to help city residents
fight crime.

He added that women and children should also be involved in
the program and should be made aware of how to deal with
attackers how best to protect themselves.

Sutiyoso said the authorities, including his office, city
police, the military command and the prosecutor's office, would
not tolerate any rioting in the capital.

"As the governor, I will not tolerate any more trouble. No
more looting. No more raping," he said.

Sutiyoso encouraged women to be brave and not to hesitate
wounding assailants.

"Fight back. Arm yourselves with anything. If the attacker
dies trying to rape you, you cannot be brought to court," he
said.

"There is no religion in the world which prevents us from
defending ourselves when our lives are at stake," he added.

City police deputy chief Brig. Gen. Sutanto, who accompanied
Sutiyoso on the Thursday visit, also assured residents that the
law would tolerate the use of weapons in self-defense.

"If your life is in danger, go ahead and defend yourself, I
guarantee you will not be prosecuted. Use anything you can to
immobilize your assailants," he said.

Sutiyoso also reminded residents to follow the correct
procedures if they intended to purchase firearms, air rifles and
stun guns because by law they have to be licensed by the police.

"Keep in mind that carrying these weapons in public without
any license documents is an offense. And don't keep them if you
don't know how to use them properly because then you could become
the victim of your own weapon," he added. (cst)