Maryadi/Fitri & BI, Pontianak – Up to 700 government sponsored 'People's Security Guards' known as Kamra from the West Kalimantan province gathered for a rally that turned into a riot. The protesters ransacked Gubernatorial office in Pontianak, Wednesday after realising that their future was still in limbo.
The angry protesters smashed the windows of the office and ransacked it upon their arrival at 9.15am local time. It was reported that the West Kalimantan governor was not present when the incident took place.
Apparently, Kamra members whose contracts expire on 31 December could no longer contain their frustration about the uncertainty of their fate.
Wearing full uniform and armed with daggers, batons, rocks as well as iron sticks, Kamra members smashed glass windows on the ground floor of the West Kalimantan Gubernatorial office. Not content with the destruction on the ground floor the protesters then moved up to the next floor, where the governor's office is located and turned it over until it ressembled a war zone. Governor's staff tried to prevent Kamra from running amock but were outnumbered. The staff eventually chose to retreat and some fled, fearing for their own safety.
The protesters are part of a 40,000 civilian group recruited by the Habibie Government ahead of the 1999 elections. Their original purpose was to supplement regular forces in the province. Most of the Kamra members are from impoverished and low socio-economic backgrounds who hope to join the Army, Police or public service, once their contract with Kamra has finished.
The legislation, which formalised their existence, UU No 56/1999, only covered one year with the option for a one-year extension, which the government took up last year. As termination of their contracts is drawing closer (31 December 2000), the future of the 36,000 members who have not been recruited by the police, army or civil service remains uncertain. The police have handed the matter over to provincial governments.
Last month West Kalimantan Kamra members also staged a similar demonstration without the violence. Three representatives of Kamra were flown to Jakarta to ask the Ministry of Defense about their future. Unfortunately, the three had to come back with no answers about what their group's future would be.
At the time of this news going on line, the protestors are still continuing with their actions. They are continung to smash and destroy the office building. Representatives from West Kalimantan local administration are yet to meet the protesters.
30 police members who have arrived at the scene of the riots are in no position to stop protesters. They are forced to stand and watch as the building is ransacked.