Indonesian security forces wrapped up three days of riot-control drills Saturday, exhorted by their top commander to "take stern action" against any violent uprisings stemming from the nation's economic crisis.
Gen. Feisal Tanjung said that while the military must respect human rights, it was duty-bound to guarantee security for the world's fourth most-populous nation.Tanjung addressed 9,000 police and soldiers at a ceremony concluding exercises in the capital, Jakarta. The riot drills were meant to prepare for - and discourage - any disturbances that might disrupt next month's presidential elections.
"Take stern action against every attempt aimed at disturbing national stability in line with existing laws, regulations and norms," Tanjung told the troops, who had trained with helicopters, armored vehicles and dog squads.
In a separate message, the capital's military commander tried to soothe the nerves of thousands of expatriates.
"I assure all foreigners living in Jakarta not to worry about their safety," Maj. Gen. Sjafrie Syamsuddin said, the official Antara news agency reported.
The steps follow the government's announcement last week that unemployment had soared to more than 8 million. Many factories and offices have closed because of the economic crisis, fueled by a serious drop in the value of the currency, the rupiah.
Resentment over job losses and galloping inflation, predicted to reach 20 percent this year, threatens to deepen in coming weeks. Riots over rising food prices already have erupted in parts of the country.
Human rights activists have criticized the exercises in Jakarta as a show of force to deter protest.