TNI to get tough on members backing criminals
TNI to get tough on members backing criminals
Fabiola Desy Unidjaja, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta
Indonesian Military (TNI) chief Gen. Endriartono Sutarto has
ordered all military units across the country to crack down on
soldiers involved in criminal activities.
Citing reports on the possible involvement of four marines in
the murder of a businessman and his bodyguard in Jakarta,
Endriartono said on Monday the TNI would not hesitate to take
action against any soldier involved in illegal activities.
"I have instructed all units to ensure that none of their
soldiers are involved in (criminal) business. We will not
tolerate that," the four-star general said on Monday.
He said the TNI as an institution would not hesitate to
dismiss any member who provided protection to criminals.
"Soldiers were trained to serve the country and the people,
not to provide security backing for criminals," Endriartono said.
It is common for TNI members to have side jobs such as working
as bodyguards, in order to supplement their official pay.
There are rumors that some soldiers make money by providing
protection for criminal gangs involved in gambling, drug dealing
and smuggling, or even by hiring themselves out as assassins.
Four marines were recently arrested on suspicion of murdering
a businessman in Jakarta, after being hired by the man's business
competitor. They are now being detained for intensive
questioning.
Endriartono acknowledged that many soldiers became involved in
illegal activities due to their small salaries, but underlined
that the TNI would no longer tolerate this.
"The TNI has dismissed many soldiers for this sort of thing
and will continue to do so," he said.
Endriartono said he would do everything in his power to see
that the marines were punished to the full extent of the law if
they were found guilty.
"I will ensure that they get the harshest sentence possible if
they were involved in this business," he said.
Endriartono had said earlier he could not prevent military
personnel from providing security to individuals or companies due
to the absence of law regulating the issue.
One mid-ranking TNI officer told The Jakarta Post on Monday a
soldier could earn about Rp 2.5 million (US$297) a month working
as a bodyguard, double the salary of a captain.
"A bodyguard's salary does not include tips or extras from the
client. So it is a profitable job that they can do when they are
not on duty," said the officer, who asked not to be named.
He said soldiers could be hired to commit murder for between
Rp 30 million and Rp 50 million.
"When they (the soldiers) really need money they do these
things, because they have the skills and the equipment
necessary," the officer said.