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Watchdog slams city grants for military
The Indonesia Police Watch (IPW) has criticized the Jakarta administrationâs budget allocations for seven security and defense institutions in grants totaling billions of rupiah in exchange for their assistance in securing the capital
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The Indonesia Police Watch (IPW) has criticized the Jakarta administration's budget allocations for seven security and defense institutions in grants totaling billions of rupiah in exchange for their assistance in securing the capital.
According to the IPW, this year alone the administration has allocated a total of Rp 101.55 billion (US$7.2 million) to eight institutions.
'[The taxpayers' money] was used to pay for facilities and equipment that support security measures in Jakarta, particularly during riots,' IPW chairman Neta S. Pane said in a recent press statement.
Neta said that the distribution of the grant was in stark contrast to the city's reluctance to compensate hundreds of residents of the flood-prone Kampung Pulo in East Jakarta, who were forcefully evicted from their homes last week. The forced eviction ended in a riot, during which a passerby was severely injured and 27 people were arrested.
'I call on each institution to be transparent about the grants and return them to avoid negative sentiment. I also expect the police to take a neutral stance and remain professional amid current relations between Ahok [Governor Basuki Tjahaja Purnama] and Jakarta residents,' he said.
Later on Wednesday, Ahok told awaiting reporters that the grants were a one-time contribution to the institutions, most of which lacked vehicles and personnel.
'We are distributing the grants only this year because we need them as backup to secure the capital,' he said, adding that his administration may only give them operational funds next year.
Earlier this year, Ahok signed Gubernatorial Decree No. 224 that kicked off the implementation of the 5 Orderly Jakarta (5TJ) program in cooperation with the National Police, the Indonesian Military (TNI) and the Office of the Coordinating Political, Legal & Security Affairs Minister.
The 5TJ consists of Tertib Pedagang Kaki Lima (orderly street vendors), Tertib Hunian (orderly residences), Tertib Buang Sampah (orderly waste disposal), Tertib Berlalu Lintas (orderly traffic) and Tertib Berdemo (orderly protests).
National Commission on Human Rights (Komnas HAM) commissioner Nurkhoiron criticized the involvement of TNI personnel while conducting security measures in the capital.
'Controlling the masses is the police's authority, not the TNI's. The police can seek assistance from the TNI should they find indication of a security threat. When that happens, TNI personnel should remain behind the police and act as backup,' he said, adding that security measures carried out during the Kampung Pulo eviction were excessive.
A joint force comprising 2,300 personnel of the Jakarta Public Order Agency (Satpol PP), the Jakarta Police and the TNI were deployed to secure last week's eviction.
'It was an example of abuse of power,' he said.
Separately, Jakarta Police chief Insp. Gen. Tito Karnavian said that in upholding the 5 Tertib Jakarta program, the police had standard procedures. Further, he said that the administration would only use repressive measures as a last resort.
'Police have standard operating procedures in the field. We always take preventive measures to avoid using force,' Tito told reporters at City Hall recently.
He went on to say that if preventive measures were deemed ineffective, the police would carry out repressive measures. Tito said that repressive measures were legal if necessary and carried out by the police.
'We [the police] may use force because the state allows us to do so,' Tito said.
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