Sutiyoso to be tougher against crime
Sutiyoso to be tougher against crime
JAKARTA (JP): Newly appointed Jakarta Military Chief Maj. Gen. Sutiyoso said he would follow the path his predecessor Lt. Gen. Wiranto adopted in combating crime and maintaining order and security in the city and its surrounding areas.
"I will continue my predecessor's policies and develop them further," he said at a press conference held shortly after his induction as the new Jakarta military chief yesterday.
He refused to give details about his plans, but said that he was already familiar with Wiranto's anti-crime programs.
He said he had been fully involved in designing the programs while chief of staff at the military command, a post he held since January last year.
"I used to be second in charge of the programs. I will not deviate from the established policies," he said.
Sutiyoso also promised he would take an even tougher stance against crime in order to rid the city of troublemakers while it prepares itself for the general election next year.
Among the anti-crime programs Wiranto implemented were wars against hoodlums, gambling and log smuggling, and the handling of student brawls.
Tens of integrated command posts, combining military and police officials have been set up to help control crime in the city, he said.
Sutiyoso said that over 3,000 hoodlums, mostly unemployed youths, have been arrested in specific operations in the past. Most of them had been released after undergoing a military-style education; those who failed to pass the program were brought to court.
"In the future, hoodlums will be considered criminals and will be taken straight to court," he said.
The new commander also called on the public to cooperate more with the police and the military. "Without the cooperation of the community, including the press, we won't succeed in our efforts to maintain the city's order and security," he said.
Jakarta is prone to crimes because it is the center of administration, trade and business, and politics.
"The city's success in maintaining security and order becomes a standard for other provinces.
"Bear in mind that the city's inhabitants come from various ethnic groups, with their own cultures, languages, standards of behavior and educational backgrounds. This condition is what makes the city prone to crimes, riots and social unrest".
He said that things that happen in the city would affect the order and security in other provinces as well.
"If the social and political conditions here are good, the situation in the other provinces can be expected to be secure and under control."
Among the first items on his agenda is to hold a special meeting to evaluate the Jakarta military command's personnel and military equipment, he said. (rms)