Other Publications
Brawl unrelated to forces separation
The Jakarta Post , Jakarta | Wed, 09/26/2007 3:22 PM
The Jakarta Post, Jakarta
The National Police said Tuesday a series of brawls between the police and Indonesian Military (TNI) in Ternate, North Maluku, over the weekend was unrelated to the 2001 separation of the forces.
National Police spokesman Sr. Comr. Bambang Kuncoko said the fighting was caused by the actions of certain elements within the forces that were acting irresponsibly in the name of ""esprit de corps"".
""There's been a misplacement of pride here and it has dragged down the interests of the corps,"" he said at a press conference.
""Something has been misunderstood and some elements have acted in the name of the forces.""
The fighting, which killed two and injured five others, started Saturday night with a dispute involving a police officer.
""First Brig. SDM and the civilian LT were taken to the Ternate Police Precinct, while Second Pvt. SN was taken to the military police on Saturday,"" said Bambang.
Another incident occurred early Sunday about 1:30 a.m., when a group of people attacked and killed a police officer identified as Second Brig. RW.
In response, police officers attacked a group of military soldiers at Ternate Bastiong Port, injuring two.
There was another clash Monday during which two police officers were shot by soldiers.
Early Tuesday, about 1:30 a.m., a police officer, identified as First Brig. M, was assaulted and killed.
""Now two police officers are dead, three others are injured, and two military soldiers are also injured,"" Bambang said.
He said the Ternate Police chief and North Maluku Military Resort commander had met to decide what measures should be taken.
""They met Monday and resolved to investigate, hunt down and capture those carrying out these brutal actions in the name of both forces,"" he said.
""There have been no commands from either of the forces to take such actions.""
He said the chiefs of the two forces had instructed their units to show restraint and not be provoked into violence.
Since 1998, there have been more than 20 reported conflicts between the police and military.
National Police chief Gen. Sutanto said the police and the military had set up a team to bring the situation under control and investigate the violence.
""The two institutions are now conducting joint patrols, so that the violence will not escalate,"" he was quoted as saying by detik.com news portal.
""If anyone in either institution is found to have violated the law they will be handled internally by their respective institution.
""We will work together on this,"" said Sutanto.
Defense Minister Juwono Sudarsono said these types of clashes resulted from low pay of low-ranking police officers and soldiers.
""This kind of conflict will continue to happen if the welfare of the police and military remains poor,"" he said. (13)
