TNI gear up security for MPR session
JAKARTA (JP): Indonesian Military (TNI) Commander Adm. Widodo Adisucipto has called on all regional military commanders to help police maintain security in the run up to the General Session of the People's Consultative Assembly (MPR) in August.
Widodo also said that the TNI would also concentrate on handling security in troubled areas in Aceh, Maluku, Irian Jaya and Central Sulawesi so the regional matters would not disturb the session in Jakarta.
"In particular I have asked the Jakarta Military Commander to back up the Jakarta Police to safeguard the capital during the session," he briefed members of the Supreme Advisory Council on Friday.
As requested by the Jakarta Police, the TNI has prepared 4,181 personnel, comprising of six army battalions, two marine battalions and one battalion from the Air Force's Special Command.
"To anticipate security disturbances during the session, we also have reserved another 10 battalions for precautions and they are ready to be deployed anytime the police need back up," Widodo said.
Widodo said the TNI was anticipating possible moves by certain groups that will use the session to instigate chaos in the capital and other parts of the country.
However, Widodo stopped short of unveiling the groups.
Jakarta Military Commander Maj. Gen. Ryamizard Ryacudu, who also attended the meeting, confirmed Widodo's suspicion that certain groups have planned to disrupt the annual session, but so far he could not identify them.
"I don't know who they are, but the TNI Headquarters has their identification," Ryamizard remarked.
The Assembly annual session will be held from Aug. 7 through to Aug. 18 to hear the President's progress report and endorse constitutional amendements.
Troubled areas
In the consultation meeting, Widodo also explained the latest development of security conditions in the troubled provinces of Aceh, Maluku and North Maluku, and Irian Jaya.
On the Aceh issue, Widodo said the implementation of three months of the humanitarian pause has proven to bring peace to the region but should be prolonged for the next three months.
However, the government should consider a new approach and take political measures to settle the Aceh issue as there are still Free Aceh Movement (GAM) efforts to force a state of freedom in the region, Widodo said.
"Somehow GAM has manipulated the humanitarian pause to conduct intimidation, terrorize civilians and consolidate their strength along with building national and international opinion to support them," Widodo said.
The GAM activities included provoking people to flee their homes, forcing the replacement of several village chiefs, continuing the training and recruitment of armed civilians and hoisting the GAM flags in several areas.
"We need to push for a political settlement in Aceh because a security settlement is not sufficient enough to cope with the problems," he added.
In regards to the situation in Irian Jaya, Widodo said there are no serious security disturbances except for a separatist movement supported by the Melanesian Brotherhood Solidarity (MBS).
"The government should watch out for this movement because this will bring vast side effects, as there will be mounting national and international pressure on us over the problems," Widodo said.
On the Maluku issue, Widodo said a conducive condition has been established in the region and the military has managed to calm the area, thanks to the imposition of the civil emergency in the territory on June 27.
"But we still have to be cautious as the two warring groups are mostly separated only by a small path or river, so any small incident may cause further clashes," he added.
Widodo said that in reference to the issue of impartiality in the military, Army troops always try to deal with both sides in every clash and do not only focus on the attackers.
"We are also intensifying raids and sea blockades to prevent gun smuggling. There is proof that the outsiders who came in the name of humanity eventually provoked more incidents," Widodo said.(dja)