Lenny Tristia Tambun, Jakarta – Acting Governor Basuki Tjahaja Purnama, never one to shy from confrontation, says he will equip Jakarta's public order officers, or Satpol PP, with stun guns to help clear the streets of hawkers.

Basuki said at City Hall on Wednesday that he had decided to purchase the stun guns after an effort to evict hawkers and food vendors from the National Monument (Monas) square earlier this week was met by fierce challenges and protests.

Basuki said the hawkers had yelled insults at the Satpol PP officers and even thrown rocks at them. He called the response unacceptable, saying there were even death threats made against the officers.

The acting governor also played down criticism of his plan to give stun guns to the Satpol PP, who are known for their excessive use of force during eviction bids and raids.

"You may be disappointed with the plan, but you have threatened my people [Satpol PP officers], you threatened to stab them. Do you think they're not human?" Basuki said.

He added that the officers were simply doing their duty to keep the Monas square clean and comfortable for visitors, and accused the turf gangs that regularly extort protection payments from the hawkers of inciting the opposition to the eviction.

Basuki said stun guns would be a sensible solution to ensure the officers' safety. He claimed they were not dangerous because at most they would only knock out a person.

"We don't want to shoot you with rubber bullets, which won't kill you but will hurt you very bad," he said. "If we use stun guns, the worst thing that can happen is people will faint."

Source: http://www.thejakartaglobe.com/news/jakarta/ahoks-solution-monas-hawkers-stun-guns/