Here is a strong warning as the 17th August anniversary approaches to anyone who tries to pull down the red-and-white flag already unfurled on the mast. Army headquarters has issued a threat that they will "shoot on sight".

"There's no problem with shooting anyone because this represents an insult to the state, so everyone out in the field is given full authorisation," said Vice Admiral Sagoem Tamboen, head of Public Relations at army headquarters.

Cables have been sent to all Kodams and Korems throughout Indonesia to safeguard conditions in their area, especially as we approach the anniversary of the proclamation on 17th August this coming Friday.

The officer said that the position taken by the army is not a violation of human rights. On the contrary, it means upholding the law. "If there are elements who refuse to accept the red-and-white, and dont want to be citizens of Indonesia, then they can just go somewhere else," said Sagoem.

So who are they? The two-star general was not willing to mention names. "There's no need for me to mention anyone. You yourselves know from what happened last year, who these people were who caused disruptions."

There were incidents last year in Muara Dua, Lhokseumawe, Aceh and in Merauke, Papua. "We need the support of local people to come forward and report, if anyone is trying anything on."

Meanwhile, the governor of Lemhanas (National Defence Institute) Muladi said that the unitary state of the Republic of Indonesia was indisputable (harga mati). It must be strongly defended. "Any action however small to provoke separatism must be firmly dealt with," he said. He said that the independence proclamation was not just something to be celebrated symbolically. But it must be followed through with concrete action, with hard work.

A member of Commission 3 of Parliament, Soeripto, said that any on-the-spot shooting should be preceded by giving a warning. "It would be far better if those involved were arrested and interrogated," he said. A local assembly member from Sidoardjo said that efforts to pull down the flag should be handled carefully. "Maybe such things are intended to discredit the good name of the army," he said.