TNI, Police braced for state of emergency

TNI, Police braced for state of emergency

JAKARTA (JP): The Indonesian Military (TNI) and National
Police increased their alert status on Friday in anticipation of
a possible imposition of a state of emergency.

TNI chief Adm. Widodo AS summoned military top brass for a
crisis meeting at TNI headquarters in East Jakarta, hours before
the holding of a Cabinet meeting.

While Widodo held talks with Army Chief of Staff Gen.
Endriartono Sutarto, Air Force Chief of Staff Hanafi Asnan, Navy
Chief of Staff Admiral Indroko Sastrowiryono, chief of the Army
Strategic Reserves Command Lt. Gen. Ryamizard Ryacudu, chief of
the Army's Special Force Maj. Gen. Amirul Isnaini, and chief of
the Jakarta Military Command Maj. Gen. Bibit Waluyo, in the
meantime TNI territorial affairs chief Lt. Gen. Agus Widjojo was
receiving members of the armed forces and National Police faction
at the House of Representatives.

A source told The Jakarta Post that Widodo called the meeting
to ensure unity among the TNI leadership in facing the latest
political developments, particularly with regard to a possible
declaration of a state of emergency by embattled President
Abdurrahman Wahid.

Later in the day, Agus Widjojo said that his talks with the
House members representing the military and police centered on a
contingency plan should widespread unrest break out as a result
of the imposition of a state of emergency.

"The imposition of a state of emergency could lead to chaos.
As the arm of the state which is responsible for the defense
role, it is our duty to maintain security and protect people
against chaos," Agus told the Post by telephone.

"We are concerned about the negative impacts of the imposition
of a state of emergency. Therefore, we have prepared our troops."

Agus' duties include the recruitment of personnel for
legislative posts. The TNI/Police have been guaranteed 38 seats
in the House at least until 2009.

Despite the heightened tension among politicians, the capital
was calm throughout the day with business and social activities
proceeding as normal.

Agus further stressed that the TNI "will maintain its stance
which is that of not supporting a particular political power."

When asked if the TNI would support the President's decision
to impose an emergency, Agus said that "the TNI response to the
President's policy depends on the significance of his decision."

"If Gus Dur imposes a civil order or civil emergency which
allows him to arrest people, he only needs the police's support,"
Agus said.

He was quick to add that for a state of emergency to be
declared, certain conditions needed to be satisfied in accordance
with law.

"Therefore, we would have to see whether the planned emergency
was lawful," Agus said.

The 1959 State of Emergency Law allows the President to
declare three types of emergency: a state of civil emergency, of
military emergency, and of war.

Under a state of military emergency, the military can arrest
and detain people for 20 days, extendible to 50 days. The
military also has the right to close down buildings, and to take
over the post office, telecommunications and radio broadcasting
facilities.

Only the President can terminate the state of emergency, but
the restrictions imposed can be retained if necessary for up to
six months afterwards.

Late at night deputy chairman of Megawati Soekarnoputri's
Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle, Theo Sjafei, who is a
retired Army general, held talks with Army Chief of Staff Gen.
Endriartono. There was no official statement on the meeting.

Separately, National Police chief Gen. Surojo Bimantoro
implied on Friday that National Police headquarters would not
support any imposition of a state of emergency.

"It is not necessary. Our stance on this is clear ... we do
not need to repeat the discussion on this issue," Bimantoro told
reporters at National Police headquarters on Friday.

Bimantoro called a snap meeting of top police officers at
National Police headquarters, apparently to discuss intensifying
security measures.

Following the meeting that ended at about 7 p.m., National
Police spokesman Insp. Gen. Didi Widayadi said that over 20,000
police personnel would be put on alert.

"The officers will be placed on high alert ... please do not
say full alert and give rise to unnecessary concern among the
general public. Our officers will work in collaboration with the
Indonesian Military (TNI), and will be ready should the security
situation take a turn for the worse," Didi told the Post on
Friday evening by telephone.

Didi added that the alert status of the police could be
increased in accordance with a worsening of the security
situation in the days leading up to May 30.

Police in East Java, which is Abdurrahman's stronghold, were
put on full alert beginning Friday to anticipate violence ahead
of May 30 when the House is expected to call for an Assembly
special session to start an impeachment process against the
President. (ylt/02)