TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - The House of Representatives (DPR) has urged the government to resolve the issue of firearms import by the National Police’s Mobile Brigade (Brimob). The Coordinating Ministry for Political, Legal and Security Affairs has been asked to explain to the public on the status of 280 grenade launchers and their ammunition that remain held at UNEX warehouse at Soekarno-Hatta Airport cargo area as of yesterday.
The DPR Deputy Speaker Agus Hermanto said that internal issues, particularly between the National Armed Forces (TNI) and the National Police, could worsen if not resolved immediately. “We will summon relevant parties to get a holistic explanation next week,” Agus told Tempo yesterday.
Over the past two weeks, the public has been talking about the TNI Commander General Gatot Nurmantyo’s statement on a non-military agency’s plan to purchase 5,000 firearms. Earlier, the government has clarified that there are only 500 guns brought by the National Intelligence Agency (BIN).
Read: Wiranto to Summon Tito, Gatot to Discuss Brimob Weapons Import
However, things were heating up on Friday as hundreds of grenade launchers arrived at Soekarno-Hatta Airport. Police have confirmed that they had ordered the purchase of the firearms but could yet take them out due to the lack of clearance from the TNI’s Strategic Intelligence Agency (Bais).
The procurement of military weapons has been linked to TNI Commander Gatot’s statement two weeks ago. “Police should not own firearms that are capable of shooting down tanks, aircraft and ships. I will launch an attack if I found one,” he said. Gatot has yet to elaborate on gun procurement by the National Police as referred to in his statement.
DPR Defense Commission chair Abdul Kharis Almasyhari has questioned the National Police’s decision to acquire military weapons. “It’s not necessary because police are tasked with serving the people, not hunting them,” he said.
President Joko Widodo yesterday said that the firearms import issues between the institutions should be resolved amicably. “Don’t do things that can create controversy,” Jokowi said when opening the cabinet meeting that was attended by Police chief Tito and TNI Commander Gatot.
AMIRULLAH SUHADA
