Ambon – The commander of the XVI/Pattimura Territorial Military Command (Kodam), Major General Syarifudin Summah, has threatened to shoot on sight anybody to tries to disrupt the elections in the Maluku islands. Direct action will be taken if the situation in Maluku becomes disorderly and control of security would be transferred from the police to the TNI (armed forces).

This was explained to journalist on Thursday February 19 by Summah following a meeting between Maluku provincial councils and the Baru Regency provincial council along with political parties which will participate in the elections in Namlea, the capital city of the Baru Regency. “If a disturbance breaks out during the elections, control [of security] will be transferred from the police to the TNI. And under such conditions, the TNI will shoot [trouble makers] on sight”, said Summah who was formerly the Kodam Pattimura chief of staff.

The meeting was part of a series of working visits by the governor of Maluku, Karel Albert Ralahalu, the regional military commander, the chief of police, the National Election Commission and the Maluku Election Monitoring Committee, to a number regencies in the province. The visits were to see first hand preparations for the elections in the regencies of Maluku province.

According to Summah, security during the elections is the responsibility of the police and civilian defense units. Meanwhile the TNI’s role is only to assist them. If disturbances break out, the police will deploy the Mobile Brigade (Brimob) and anti-riot police. However there are large clashes, destruction and arson and the situation cannot be controlled, the police will transfer control of security to the TNI.

Summah explain that in such a situation, the TNI will no longer use anti-rot troops and blanks. The TNI will use live ammunition and shoot disrupters on sight. As a backup, three battalions of TNI troops which are stationed at Kodam Pattimura will be deployed should there be a transfer of control.

The deputy chief of the Maluku police, Bambang Suedi, said that police would increase security at polling stations which are susceptible to disturbances and they would deploy around 3000 personal which will be augmented by civilian defense units.

Suedi also said that with regard to the distribution of election logistical support, the Maluku police have been assisted by a speedboat from police headquarters. “The police have also asked [us] to collect election results areas where transportation is difficult”, said Suedi.

[Translated by James Balowski.]