MILITARY TO HELP HANDLE MOTORCYCLIST THUGS

By Andi Abdussalam

Jakarta, April 19 (ANTARA) - The military is ready to follow up police investigation into violence cases involving motorcyclist thugs who have caused unrest in the capital city and other regions lately.          "The military will take follow-up steps if there is evidence that requires us to take them," Indonesian Defence Forces (TNI) commander Admiral Agus Suhartono said on Thursday.          Agus stated that the military would continue to coordinate with the National Police in handling the issue.          Police are now investigating a number of cases of violence involving gangs of motorists that have created unrest in the capital city and other regions.          Early this month, for example, around 200 motorcycle thugs assaulted and robbed people in seven different spots in North and Central Jakarta during the early hours, leaving eight people injured and one dead.          Social Affairs Minister Salim Segaf Al Jufri expressed concern about the behavior of motorist gangs that have caused unrest in several regions and have resorted to violence that led to a victim's death.          "I don't deny that our youths like racing in the streets, but what raises our concern is the fact that their actions have hurt others, caused the loss of life, and robbery. This is a dangerous situation," the minister said.          The actions of the gangs of motorists have led to violence and could create conflict. This is categorized as a social problem, which cannot be handled and settled only by the social affairs ministry or other relevant agencies, but by all parties.           According to Salim Segaf Al Jufri, the actions of the motorist gangs that have caused unrest must be acted upon firmly. The law must be upheld indiscriminately. "If they just like racing I think it is reasonable, and what needs to be done is to find a location for them so that they would not disturb others. But if they have intended to hurt or to cause the loss of life, a firm action must be taken," he said.          Based on the data released by the Commission of Missing People and Victims of Violence (KontraS), during the early hours of Friday on April 13, 2012,  there were shooting incidents against private Sugeng Riadi of the Navy's Pharmaceutical Institution and private Akbar Fidi Aldian of the Airborne Battalion Infantry 503 of the Army's Strategic Command. Sugeng was shot in the right ear, while Akbar was shot in the chest. Now they are being treated at the RSPAD army hospital.          On the same day, a civilian named Anggi Darmawan (19) died after being badly beaten up by about 200 motorists in Jalan Pramuka, East Jakarta. These motorists had a crew cut hairstyle.          The Jakarta Post quoted Jakarta police spokesman Sr. Comr. Rikwanto as saying that police believed that the marines eventually became involved in the assault.          Following the incident, Coordinating Minister for Political and Security Affairs Joko Suyanto said that police should cooperate with the military police in uncovering the perpetrators of the criminal actions believed to be committed by motorist gangs.         Agus refused to make comment on the allegation that military members had been involved.          National Police Chief Gen Timur Pradopo said police were still investigating the case. The police also were carrying out various prevention efforts and upholding the law to fight violence.          State Intelligence Agency chief Let Gen Marciano Norman said police must find the links of the actions by motorist gangs in various regions.          "I have said that the links of actions of the gangs of motorists from one city to another should be investigated, because their actions always came up simultaneously," Marciano said, believing that the motives behind the actions are crimes.  Crimes and violence must not be left unresolved, he said.          Agus said the TNI was waiting for the results of police investigation.          "We are still waiting for the results of police investigation to assure whether the gangs of motorist thugs must also be handled by TNI," he explained on Wednesday.          The investigation results would be used to sort out which ones the TNI will handle. "We do not want to be overlapping in the handling of the case," Agus said.          Regarding the allegation of the involvement of military individuals, Agus only said that the TNI was committed to taking actions against all those who were involved.          "The TNI and police will cooperate to investigate this case and have common commitment to taking actions against those involved no matter who they are," he added. ***1*** (T.A014/INE/A/S012) (T.A014/A/KR-BSR/S012) 19-04-2012 20:38:06