TNI to take strong action against troublemakers

JAKARTA (JP): The military here sounded a strong warning on Wednesday, asserting that it would not hesitate in taking "stern measures" against troublemakers as Jakarta braced itself for an influx of pro-Abdurrahman Wahid supporters.

Soldiers under the Jakarta Military Command have been instructed to support police efforts to secure the capital in anticipation of the mass rallies, and its commander, Maj. Gen. Bibit Waluyo, assured that he had "prepared his troops".

"I will back the police to ensure security in the capital, even if I must take stern measures," Bibit told reporters, without revealing how many soldiers would be deployed.

There are claims that as many as 400,000 people will gather in Jakarta on Sunday to attend a mass prayer of the Nahdlatul Ulama (NU) Muslim organization.

Anxiety has been further heightened by the likelihood that many of the visitors, including Abdurrahman's die-hard supporters grouped in the Defenders of Truth force, will assemble at the House of Representatives compound the next day to observe the expected issuance of a memorandum of censure against the President.

Separately, Minister of Defense Mahfud MD said that, initially, 17,000 security personnel, including from the Indonesian Military (TNI), would be deployed.

"If the situation turns ugly, there will be 23,000 personnel deployed. At the critical stage, which I hope will not happen, we will deploy about 42,000 personnel," Mahfud said, while attending a graduation ceremony at Mustopo Beragama University.

Jakarta Police Chief Insp. Gen. Mulyono Sulaiman conceded that fears of unrest were widespread, with foreign missions here already requesting security personnel to be stationed at their offices.

"All of the embassies, including the United States, have asked for protection. We will guard their offices by posting about 10 to 15 police personnel," Mulyono remarked.

Meanwhile, National Police Chief Gen. Surojo Bimantoro said that, while he had not issued shoot-on-site instructions, security personnel knew what measures should be taken in order to maintain security.

"Should there be chaos on April 29 or April 30, my men know what kind of action to take. As you can see, none of my men are equipped with live bullets ... only rubber bullets," Surojo remarked.

Commander of the Defenders of Truth, Nuril Arifin, met with Jakarta Garrison Commander Brig. Gen. Hasanuddin on Wednesday to discuss security measures for Sunday's gathering.

Nuril insisted that the group's presence in Jakarta was not to cause chaos. Hasanuddin later remarked to reporters: "We cannot stop anybody from praying, can we?"

People's Consultative Assembly Speaker Amien Rais, one of the President's harshest critics, said he would not attend Sunday's event.

"I will not be attending. That gathering is a prayer ceremony and one can pray anywhere, anytime, without such mass gatherings," Amien said on Wednesday.

Swarming

Chief of the Istigoshah prayer organizing committee, Manarul Hidayat, claimed on Wednesday that over 400,000 people will attend Sunday's event.

"They are scheduled to reach the capital on Sunday, in over 5,000 buses and 42 train cars. They will come from West Java, Central Java, East Java, Yogyakarta, Banten and Jakarta," Manarul told reporters.

"From Lampung, 32 buses have been allocated to shuttle NU members. The mass prayer will also be guarded by about 750 volunteers of Banser and Pagar Nusa," Manarul added, referring to the NU's civilian guards.

The NU's West Java provincial chapter announced on Wednesday that it would send 102,000 representatives to the mass prayer. The number excludes some 70,000 members of Banser, who will be deployed to guard the NU supporters en route to and during their stay in Jakarta.

Deputy chairman of the NU chapter, Mohammad Sidik, said 2,040 buses had been booked to transport the people. The chapter, however, would not allocate funds for the transportation costs, which could reach Rp 4 billion.

"The mass prayer participants will depart in groups. They will be in Jakarta by 6 a.m. on Sunday," Sidik said.

He said he could not guarantee that the people would return to their home towns as soon as the mass prayer ended. "It's up to each of them and we never ban them from staying longer in Jakarta," he added.

In anticipation of the result of the House plenary session on Monday, East Java Police have prepared 147 companies of stand-by troops. Personnel from the provincial military command and marine squad have also pledged backup support.

"We will not risk giving people a chance, albeit small, of inciting riots. We are out to maintain order," East Java Police chief Insp. Gen. Sutanto said when briefing all regional police chiefs under his supervision and Deputy Governor Imam Supardi on security precautions for the period after the House's April 30 session.

Minor violence occurred in Banyuwangi on Wednesday, when a group of people claiming to be Abdurrahman's supporters attacked the house of local Muhammadiyah branch chief H. Amly. No fatalities were reported, but the raid left the house's windows shattered and required Amly and his family to abandon their home. (02/25/nur/ylt)