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TNI may leave first-response unit in Poso

Jakarta Post - April 2, 2015

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Nani Afrida and Margareth Aritonang, Jakarta – Civil society groups have begun voicing objections to a plan by the Indonesian Military (TNI) to leave 700 personnel in Poso, Central Sulawesi, as a Quick Response Strike Force (PPRC) after the conclusion of a military exercise in the area.

They reminded the military that they needed a presidential instruction (Inpres) for the operation. "If TNI comes to Poso for training, they should return without leaving any personnel in the area. If they stay, it means they will carry out an operation," rights group Imparsial program director Al Araf told The Jakarta Post on Wednesday.

According Al Araf, a nod from the President would be enough to deploy military personnel to Poso. He said the military should receive a legal basis, such as an Inpres, that would give clear direction about why an operation was needed. The Inpres should also be accessible to public.

"The plan to leave military personnel in Poso violates the 2004 Law on the TNI. The TNI cannot undertake the operation for two reasons. First, there is no Inpres from the President. Second, the police, as the law enforcement force, have not asked for assistance," Al Araf said.

On Tuesday, Indonesian Military chief Gen. Moeldoko revealed that the TNI was ready to leave a battalion of PPRC personnel in Poso to assist the National Police's anti-terrorism efforts.

"I have reported it to President Joko 'Jokowi' Widodo. If needed, PPRC personnel will stay here to continue operations with police. The President has agreed," said Moeldoko, who was in Poso to observe the exercise on Tuesday.

On Tuesday, the TNI reportedly completed a PPRC military exercise in Poso. The 10-day training, involving 3,222 Navy, Army and Air Force personnel, was aimed at improving coordinated responses to radical group movements. The exercise also included warships and jet fighters.

Poso has become the main target of a radical group led by Santoso, the most-wanted terrorist in Indonesia. His terrorist group frequently launches attacks in the area. Police have launched an operation named Camar Maleo to find Santoso and his group. The operation was terminated on March 26, 2015, with police failing to nab Santoso or any of his 28 men.

"Poso has been a training grounds for the TNI and police for a long time," said Commission for Missing Persons and Victims of Violence (Kontras) coordinator Haris Azhar.

He said police and the military had their own agendas in Poso. "The President should understand clearly what is happening in Poso before tasking the military with settling the problem," Haris said.

Meanwhile, Home Minister Tjahjo Kumolo revealed that around 140 foreigners were conducting "jihad" in Poso. Tjahjo told councilors during a meeting at the Regional Representatives Council (DPD) on Wednesday that foreign jihadists had been conducting operations there for 10 years, after failing to establish bases in other countries.

"I don't know why they [foreign jihadists] have been able to sustain operations for 10 years there [Poso]," he said, adding that President Jokowi and the TNI commander were hoping to end it.

Source: http://www.thejakartapost.com/news/2015/04/02/tni-may-leave-first-response-unit-poso.html.