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Indonesian Police Chief Calls a Halt to Wahid Supporters' Military Trainings
Indonesian National Police Chief General S. Bimantoro Monday said he had ordered the East Java police chief to stop the military-style training activities of President Abdurrahman Wahid's supporters in the province.
"I have ordered the East Java provincial police chief to call a halt to the activities because civilians are not allowed to conduct military trainings," Bimantoro told reporters in Bali in response to a question about the Wahid loyalists' activities.
Tens of thousands of the president's supporters have reportedly been recruited by an organization called "the Truth Defenders Forum" (FPK) in East Java, the stronghold of the National Awakening Party (PKB) -- Wahid's political vehicle -- to be trained as holy war (Jihad) militias to fight whom they term " those trying to topple Wahid".
It was reported that they will come to Jakarta prior to a House of Representatives plenary session on April 30 where House factions will formally give their views on Wahid's reply to its first memorandum.
Speaking to reporters after attending a ceremony marking the opening of "Narcotics Law Enforcement Training" in Bali, Bimantoro said there was no regulation or law in existence in Indonesia permitting civilians to conduct military training activities.
"What they are doing is military training so that it must be prohibited. If what they are doing are just martial arts workouts, of course, we will not disturb them," he was quoted by the Antara News Agency as saying.
Police have intensified sweeping operations and weapon checks in every entry to the capital ahead of the House's plenary session on April 30.
Major factions at the House have indicated their wish to issue a second memorandum to the president, which could lead to his impeachment.
Wahid has repeatedly asked his followers not to come to Jakarta in a bid to avoid further chaos and violence, but to no avail.
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