Four police officers were injured in a clash between members of the National Police and personnel from the Indonesian Military (TNI) in South Sumatra, exposing once again the simmering tension between the two forces which has been brewing for years.

A group of soldiers from a training center in Baturaja, Ogan Komering Ulu in South Sumatra, descended on two local police stations, assaulted officers and set buildings on fire.

Eyewitnesses said that approximately 75 soldiers in military trucks and on motorbikes set fire to Ogan Komering Ulu Police headquarters at 8 a.m. on Thursday, prompting police officers and 16 detainees to flee the building.

Later, the soldiers attacked Martapura Police Station, about 30 kilometers from the headquarters, also setting it on fire.

The soldiers had staged a rally demanding severe punishment for traffic policeman Brig. Wijaya, who killed First Pvt. Heru Oktavianus of the TNI in a dispute over a traffic violation in February.

Things got out of hand, however, following alleged provocation toward one of the soldiers.

“The soldiers initially arrived in peace to ask about the progress of the investigation into Brig. Wijaya. They were unhappy with what they heard and started a riot. They began to physically attack police officers and the police office was set on fire,” South Sumatra Police spokesman Adj. Sr. Comr. Djarod Padakova said on Thursday.

The soldiers were reportedly furious over the lack of progress in the investigation.

President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono, on a five-day European tour, has ordered an immediate investigation.

“The President has instructed National Police chief Gen. Timur Pradopo to dispatch a special investigation team and bring those responsible to justice,” Presidential spokesman Julian Aldrin Pasha said in Budapest, Hungary.

A few hours after the attacks, Coordinating Political, Legal and Security Affairs Minister Djoko Su-yanto instructed Indonesian Military commander Adm. Agus Suhartono and National Police chief Gen. Timur Pradopo to launch a joint investigation.

“The buildings belong to the government. We regret that TNI officers set government offices on fire. This should have not have occurred,” Djoko said on Thursday.

Member of the House of Representatives’ Commission III overseeing law and human rights, Eva Kusuma Sundari, said that the clash resulted from the members of the TNI failing to recognize civilian supremacy.

She said that the 1997 military tribunal law stipulating that TNI personnel can only be tried in a military tribunal has bred arrogance.

“The law has created the impression that soldiers are above the law,” Eva said.

Several NGOs have persistently urged the House to amend the law, which has been a stumbling block for victims of human rights crimes to bring their military abusers to justice.

The fatal shooting of Heru happened when he resisted being given a traffic ticket and tried to stab Brig. Wijaya.

Thursday’s riot took place only two months after Presidential Instruction No. 2/2013 intended to create a better atmosphere between the TNI and police in handling civilian conflicts.

“The clash will cripple the nation’s efforts in curbing communal conflicts,” Eva added.

TNI vs National Police

• April 22, 2012
Six members of the Army Strategic Reserves Command (Kostrad) and two members of the National Police Mobile Brigade (Brimob) are injured in a clash in Gorontalo.

• Dec. 10, 2011
A soldier from the Indonesian Military and personnel from North Sumatra police are reported to be injured in a traffic accident.

• April 2011
Dozens of police officers clash with members of the TNI in Medan, North Sumatra, when police raid an illegal gambling den.

• July 4, 2010
Two members of the police, one TNI soldier and five civilians, are injured when 30 TNI members ransack three police posts in Muara Enim, South Sumatra.

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