TNI to help police secure MPR session

JAKARTA (JP): Top Indonesian Military (TNI) officers said TNI would assist police in safeguarding the coming special session of the People's Consultative Assembly (MPR) and indicated that it could not at present support the imposition of a state of emergency.

Indonesian Military Commander Adm. Widodo A.S. said on Wednesday that the military would fully back up the National Police for the event, slated to commence on Aug. 1.

"TNI will support the National Police by deploying its personnel to guard the political event that is expected to seek a solution to the country's problems," Widodo told reporters at a joint media conference with the Assembly speaker Amien Rais, after the two had held a meeting with Assembly leaders to discuss security arrangements for the event.

"My only hope is that the event will be held for the sake of the nation," he added.

The nation has been in caught in a political deadlock, with the Assembly set to convene a special session to seek President Abdurrahman Wahid's accountability, opening the way for his possible removal from office.

The President has warned that if no political compromise is found and the Assembly continues to seek his accountability, he will impose a state of civil emergency.

The official presence of the military in the current atmosphere could mark a strategic and pivotal move, as under the terms of a civil emergency, security falls under the domain of the National Police.

The run-up to the Assembly special session is occurring against the backdrop of uproar within police ranks, following Abdurrahman's dismissal of National Police chief Gen. Surojo Bimantoro and his replacement by the President's own appointee.

During Widodo's meeting with Assembly leaders on Wednesday, he was accompanied by his deputy chiefs of staff, chief of the Strategic Intelligence Body (Bais) Vice Marshall Ian Santoso Perdanakusuma, TNI's chief of territorial affairs Lt. Gen. Agus Widjojo, TNI's chief of general affairs Lt. Gen. Djamari Chaniago, and the Jakarta Military Commander Maj. Gen. Bibit Waluyo.

Accompanying Amien were Lt. Gen. Hari Sabarno of the TNI faction, Soetjipto of the Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle faction, and Ginandjar Kartasasmita of the regional representatives faction.

Widodo, in his statement, also warned members of the political elite to refrain from mobilizing their supporters, in order to avoid rioting in the capital and nationwide.

Emergency

When asked point blank by reporters whether TNI would support the imposition of a state of emergency and the consequent dissolution of the House of Representatives and the Assembly, Widodo remained evasive, replying that an Assembly decree stated that TNI is a tool for the defense of the state and the Constitution.

"Our stance is clear, based on Assembly Decree No. VII/2000 TNI is a defense instrument that must uphold the Constitution," Widodo said.

Amien, however, was more blunt in his reply, taking Widodo, who sat next to him, by surprise.

He claimed that the TNI chief had told him during the discussion that "declaring a state of emergency is not as easy as it looks."

"The TNI chief's reply was more or less like this: 'The issuance of a decree declaring a state of emergency is governed by some conditions. And if these conditions are not fulfilled, the decree becomes null and void,'" Amien said, without elaborating on what the conditions might be.

Amien further claimed that TNI was committed to the holding of the special session in order to uphold democracy.

For this reason, TNI had promised to back up the National Police to safeguard the event, Amien said.

Later in the day, the Assembly leaders also held another meeting with senior National Police officers that included Jakarta Police chief Insp. Gen. Sofjan Yacob.

Bimantoro, who is on leave of absence, and National Police deputy chief Com. Gen. Chaeruddin Ismail were not present.

Sofjan said the police were ready to guard the special session, even if the event were brought forward from its scheduled date of Aug. 1.

"We have reported the strategy on our security preparations nationwide ... In a normal situation, we would deploy about 5,600 joint military-police personnel. This number may increase to 14,000 to 28,000 if the situation turns violent," Sofjan said.

"We are keeping alert to protect the special session, even if it is accelerated," Sofjan said.

He further said that the dualism within the National Police leadership had not influenced the readiness of police personnel.(tso)