Jakarta – The Indonesian Police Watch says the Indonesian Military (TNI) must first secure approval from the House of Representatives before deploying troops to help the police handle rallies against the government's proposed fuel price increase.

IPW coordinator Neta S. Pane said the TNI Law stipulated that the TNI could deploy troops for 14 non-war duties, including assisting the police in maintaining security.

"Such assistance, however, can only be given after an official request from the National Police or as instructed by the House, not merely because it is ordered by the government. It is because the TNI is a state apparatus, not an authority," Neta said in a statement on Sunday.

Coordinating Legal, Political and Security Affairs Minister Djoko Suyanto previously said the government would involve military personnel to help the police handle any escalation of protests.

Meanwhile, TNI spokesman Rear Adm. Iskandar Sitompul said that any soldiers tasked with handling demonstrations would not be equipped with firearms but instead use riot control equipment such as shields and batons. (hwa)