TheJakartaPost
Please Update your browser
Your browser is out of date, and may not be compatible with our website. A list of the most popular web browsers can be found below.
Just click on the icons to get to the download page.
Army ready to support police, KPU in ensuring smooth elections
The Indonesian Army chief of staff Gen
Change Size
T
he Indonesian Army chief of staff Gen. Budiman declared on Sunday morning that the Army was ready to support the police in safeguarding the 2014 general election as well as distributing election logistical materials to remote areas.
Speaking in a teleconference with all Military Command (Kodam) chiefs, Budiman said there were tensions before the open campaign stage started.
In Semarang, the IV/Diponegoro Military Command was represented by its chief of staff, Brig. Gen. Ibnu Darmawan as Kodam chief Maj. Gen. Sunindyo was in Surakarta to welcome President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono.
'However, the tension dissipated during the open campaign stage as the public have good political maturity,' he said.
'There are several provinces that are vulnerable to social conflicts such as South Sulawesi and Aceh, which experienced two conflicts that caused fatalities. Java, in general, was safe.'
Budiman said the distribution of election logistical materials was still a problem in Papua while in Java there were shortages of election logistical materials due to floods.
'Everything, however, has been overcome,' he said.
'All Kodam must fully support the police force by preparing their equipment to ensure a success general election.'
From reports by all Kodam chiefs, or Pangdam, each Kodam has prepared an average of 2,500 soldiers to secure general elections as well as stand by troops to reinforce the police which can be deployed at any time.
Kodam with diffucult geography also prepared Bell 412 medium helicopters to help the General Elections Commission (KPU) distributing election logistics.
Meanwhile, the Kodam Iskandar Muda chief reported that there were security disturbances in Aceh Darussalam with a number of shootings killing five people and injuring three others which were carried out by supporters of local parties.
In Papua, separatists from the Free Papua Organization (OPM) hoisted the Morning Star flag, Kodam XVII/Cenderawasih chief, Maj. Gen. Christian Zebua said.
He said the authorities have tried on Saturday to separate the armed separatists from the populace.
'We are chasing the armed separatists and lowered down the Morning Star flag,' Christian said.
'We also asked the Foreign Ministry to communicate with Papua New Guinea because there are armed Papuans in their territory.
He added that because certain areas were so remote, helicopters were used to send election logistical materials to six regencies in Papua.
KPU chairman Kamil Malik that there were 12 political parties taking part in the national legislative election and three local parties in Aceh. The number of voters is 185.5 million in Indonesia and an additional 2.02 million abroad.
'We expect all election logistics to be ready one day before voting day. Supports from the Army are very helpful when there are weather disturbances or geographical challenges,' he said. (nvn)
