TNI sends 3 battalion units, cavalry to Aceh
JAKARTA (JP): The Indonesian Military (TNI) has dispatched three battalions to guard the gas field installation of US-based ExxonMobil Oil Indonesian Inc. (EMOI) in Aceh as part of an effort to let the company resume operations, Coordinating Minister for Political, Social and Security Affairs Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono said on Saturday.
Susilo also revealed a plan to deploy an Army cavalry unit to guard security posts, gas installation sites and clusters of state gas company PT Arun NGL Co.
"We have deployed three battalions to guard ExxonMobil and will send one cavalry unit to secure PT Arun.
"This is the greatest security protection ever given by the government to such similar (oil and gas field) installations," Susilo said after attending the installment of new Forestry Minister Marzuki Usman at the Merdeka Palace.
ExxonMobil decided last week to halt its oil and gas production in Aceh over security concerns. The decision has forced other major companies in the area, such as PT Arun NGL Co., to follow suit.
"Although the Bontang Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) plant in East Kalimantan could meet the demand for LNG, we want the Arun gas field to resume operation to meet both local and foreign demands," Susilo said.
He suggested that the TNI headquarters and the Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources publicly announce the true situation in the case of ExxonMobil.
"The announcement is needed to help clarify reports that security personnel have not taken necessary measures to provide security protection," Susilo said as quoted by Satunet.com.
The minister dismissed speculation that ExxonMobil's decision to halt its operation was made due to "foreign (the United States) pressure."
"It's such a premature conclusion to say that (pressure) is there. Currently, I will focus on providing security in the area," Susilo said.
He said that he has received reports that the company's employees who live outside the company compound had also asked for security protection in the face of intimidation by Free Aceh Movement (GAM) separatist rebels.
Separately, TNI spokesman Rear Marshall Graito Usodo denied that TNI has failed to protect such vital installation sites in the troubled province.
"The problem is that GAM has threatened the company's workers and their families," Graito said as quoted by Antara as saying.
Meanwhile in Aceh, the Student Executive Boards (BEMs) of various universities rejected the central government's policy to impose a limited military operation in the province, saying that it would only bring suffering to the local people.
"The (military) operation will not solve Aceh's problems, either. History has shown us that the military could not settle conflicts in the troubled province," spokesman of Aceh's BEMs Alfian said as quoted by Antara.
He said the planned military operation was in conflict with the peaceful efforts of dialog and negotiation, which GAM and the government have been seeking.
"The progress made by the warring groups, in such steps as the imposition of the Humanitarian Pause, the one-month moratorium and the establishment of a joint defense pact, is praiseworthy," he said.
"If the government insists on imposing the military operation, we (Acehnese students) will take to the streets to protest against this policy," Alfian warned. (02)