The Jakarta Post, 5/5/2002 5:04:23 PM
Arrest of Laskar Jihad chief 'part of law enforcement'
JAKARTA (JP): The recent arrest of Laskar Jihad leader Jaffar Umar Thalib is an
example of the type of active law enforcement that is expected to curb the violence in
Ambon, Army Chief of Staff Gen. Endriartono Sutarto said on Sunday.
Speaking to reporters at the headquarters of the Army's Strategic Reserves Command
(Kostrad) in Cilodong, East Java, Endriartono warned Jaffar and his followers against
trying to use force to derail the legal process.
"The arrest of Jaffar by the police was made on the allegation that he (Jaffar) was
provoking people in Ambon despite the increasing efforts to promote peace there. I'm
sure that the police had the legal basis to (make the arrest) ... I mean, the
enforcement of the law must be seen as an effort to solve the problems there,"
Endriartono said.
"Should the police have a strong reason, as well as evidence, to arrest Jaffar, they
(the police) must not worry about whether the decision will be opposed by certain
people who feel they are being treated unfairly," Endriartono added.
Endriartono added that rather than using mob power to try and derail the legal
process, it would be better for Jaffar to try and prove his innocence. (tso)
All contents copyright © of The Jakarta Post.
|
