Military Chief Orders Officers Not To Carry Live Ammunition

Jakarta, Aug 21 (Antara) - Commander of the Indonesian Defense Forces (TNI) General Moeldoko has instructed military officers securing the Constitutional Court (MK) to not carry live ammunition. The general here on Thursday personally conducted a random weapon inspection to ensure that none of them were carrying live ammunition. He warned errant officers of an impending sanction related to losing their positions. "No officer is allowed to carry live ammunition. If they do not follow the instruction, I will punish the commanders," General Moeldoko stated at a row call prior to securing the MK`s verdict on election dispute. He, however, instructed the military officers to properly follow standard procedures including taking firm actions against those committing anarchism. Meanwhile, the Indonesian National Police cordoned off 21 locations bordering Jakarta in a bid to secure the verdict session of the election dispute trial at the MK. National Police spokesman Inspector General Ronny F. Sompie stated on Wednesday that several locations near Jakarta have been cordoned off in an effort to prevent mass exodus to Jakarta. "We have increased security and cordoned off 14 locations on the border between Jakarta and West Java," Ronny noted. However, he refused to divulge further details regarding the locations as he did not want to risk the safety of on-duty personnel. "Information about the areas being cordoned off has been kept a secret. If we reveal the location it will endanger our personnel," he affirmed. Moreover, he noted that the police have cordoned off seven locations on the border between the Province of Banten and Jakarta to prevent mass exodus from Banten to Jakarta. Ronnie denied news that the police had deployed snipers to secure the area around the MK. "We have not deployed snipers to secure the trial court. We have deployed personnel and are prepared to secure the area around MK," he emphasized. He stressed that the implementation of security measures at MK are directed at preventing disorder during the verdict session of the 2014 election dispute trial. "In addition, we are prepared to prevent intrusion against the judges of the MK, the commissioner of the General Elections Commission, and all parties present at the hearing," he noted.