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Minister denies armed military training for gangsters
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Defense Minister Ryamizard Ryacudu speaks to journalists at his office in Jakarta. (the jakarta post/Wienda Parwitasari)
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efense Minister Ryamizard Ryacudu has denied providing armed military training to gang members and mass organizations as part of Bali's state defense program.
The state defense training curriculum did not include an introduction to using firearms, he said, adding that he knew nothing about the involvement of groups known for violence and causing unease among citizens.
"Our members don't use weapons. I don't know about the [involvement of] gangsters, but clearly we don't include firearms," Ryamizard said after a hearing with lawmakers at the House of Representatives in Jakarta on Monday.
However, in times of heightened threats, Ryamizard said the participants should be able to train with weapons in order to assist defense forces in protecting the country.
He made the statement in response to reports that the ninth regional military command (Kodam IX) Udayana would train members of Laskar Bali and Baladika, two local mass organizations in Bali that have repeatedly clashed with one another.
Earlier, Kodam IX Udayana spokesman Col. Inf. J. Hotman Hutahaean said the main goal of the program was for participants to become useful members of society and be able to join defense forces in times of threat. He dismissed fears that the program would empower mass organizations and enable them to repress other people.
The Defense Ministry would seek clarification from representatives in Bali about the involvement of such organizations, Ryamizard added. (bbn)
