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)