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)