Regrets The Scavenger Shooting Incident, Chairman Of Commission I Reminds The TNI Not To Be Arrogant

JAKARTA - Commission I of the Indonesian House of Representatives, Meutya Hafid, regrets the shooting incident of scavengers carried out by unscrupulous members of the Indonesian Air Force in Palu, Central Sulawesi. He also urged the TNI to conduct an internal evaluation and take firm action against the perpetrators of the shooting.

"This incident cannot be tolerated, because it has injured people who do not threaten. Perpetrators must receive legal sanctions according to existing mechanisms and there must be an evaluation related to this issue from the ranks of the TNI," said Meutya Hafid, Wednesday, July 17.

This shooting took place at the TNI AU official housing complex on Dewi Sartika Street, South Palu District, Thursday (11/7). A scavenger named Jenri was shot using an air rifle by an Indonesian Air Force personnel when he was caught jumping into the fence into the area of the official residence.

Currently, the Indonesian Air Force personnel who shot the scavengers have been detained and are being processed at Hasanuddin Air Base. Meanwhile, the scavengers who were shot have been treated medically at the hospital.

Although the victim made a mistake by entering the Indonesian Air Force housing complex, Meutya said soldiers should be able to take a better approach.

The shooting case carried out by TNI personnel to the public is not the first case. TNI soldiers are reminded to embrace and provide a sense of security for the people.

The leadership of the Commission in the DPR in charge of state defense affairs then touched on the inauguration of young TNI officers with the National Police on Wednesday (16/7) yesterday by President Joko Widodo (Jokowi). Meutya hopes that young TNI officers can prioritize humanitarian elements while on duty.

"We hope that young TNI officers can work humanely and when on duty to lead, they can set a good example for their troops," said the legislator from the North Sumatra I electoral district.

Furthermore, Meutya also highlighted the case of burning the house of journalist Tribrata TV Perfect Pasaribu which resulted in the death of the victim and several family members. The Pasaribu Perfect House was burned down after she reported gambling allegedly involving members of the TNI in Karo, North Sumatra.

Perfect's son has also reported to POM TNI AD on suspicion of involvement of TNI personnel in the arson case by accompanying a number of evidences. Although it is only a suspicion, Commission I of the DPR asked the TNI to seriously investigate this case because there was already a report.

"Anyone involved must be punished fairly. So it is very important for the TNI POM to carry out a thorough investigation," said Meutya.

"Make sure whoever is guilty, the person concerned accepts law enforcement. The TNI must have the courage to uncover and investigate this case transparently," he continued.

Seeing these two cases, Meutya reminded all TNI soldiers to continue to hold the Sapta marga, the oath of soldiers and the Eight Mandatory TNI. The case of shooting scavengers by TNI personnel is considered to have injured the Eight mandatory TNI, one of which contains that soldiers never scare and hurt the hearts of the people.

"Eight mandatory TNI must be ingrained in the life of a soldier so as not to feel more powerful than civil society," said Meutya.

"Hopefully this will become an internal evaluation of the TNI to be able to provide more guidance, especially in terms of integrity and morality of its members," concluded Meutya.