ID :
77621
Sun, 08/30/2009 - 00:31
Auther :
Shortlink :
https://oananews.org//node/77621
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HOUSE TO SEEK GOVT CLARIFICATION ON PINDAD WEAPONS CASE
Jakarta, Aug 29 (ANTARA) - The House of Representatives (DPR) will ask the government to clarify the seizure by the Philippine customs authorities of weapons made by Indonesian arms industry PT Pindad.
The House wanted the government to explain the matter now that PT Pindad was overseen by the State Enterprises Ministry, chief of the House Commission for information, defense and foreign affairs Theo Sambuaga said after a fast-breaking function at DPR Speaker Agung Laksono's residence here on Saturday.
The DPR wanted to know what steps the government had taken to probe the case, he said.
"On Monday, we will hold a meeting with the coordinating minister for political, legal and security affairs, the defense minister, the Indonesian military chief and his staff," he said.
He said the DPR would make a request for clarification on the matter at a special session but still at the meeting designed to discuss efforts to deal with terrorism.
"I think we will raise this issue which has been under the spotlight," he said.
He said PT Pindad must follow the standing procedure in selling its weapons, meaning that the weapons must be sold only to authorized agencies such as armed forces in other countries.
Last Thursday, Philippine customs officers detained Panama-registered cargo ship Capt Ufuk docking off the Mariveles coast.
They found 50 SS1-VI Pindad-made rifles, several other military devices and 10 empty wooden boxes. They believed the contents of the boxes had been removed before they inspected the ship.
The Philippine police alleged that the firearms and rounds of ammunition would be used to supply a terrorist group and criminal organization in Asia and Africa.
PT Pindad denied that the firearms were sold illegally saying the weapons were ordered by Mali and the Philippines.
The state firm said it had received an order from the Philippine markmen assocition for 10 P2 pistols and an order from Mali for 100 SS1-VI rifles.
It said the ordered firearms were put in 20 boxes, including one destined for the Philippines.
PT Pindad spokesman Timbul Sitompul said on Friday all the weapons found by the Philippine customs officers were ordered by the Philippine and Malian governments.***
The House wanted the government to explain the matter now that PT Pindad was overseen by the State Enterprises Ministry, chief of the House Commission for information, defense and foreign affairs Theo Sambuaga said after a fast-breaking function at DPR Speaker Agung Laksono's residence here on Saturday.
The DPR wanted to know what steps the government had taken to probe the case, he said.
"On Monday, we will hold a meeting with the coordinating minister for political, legal and security affairs, the defense minister, the Indonesian military chief and his staff," he said.
He said the DPR would make a request for clarification on the matter at a special session but still at the meeting designed to discuss efforts to deal with terrorism.
"I think we will raise this issue which has been under the spotlight," he said.
He said PT Pindad must follow the standing procedure in selling its weapons, meaning that the weapons must be sold only to authorized agencies such as armed forces in other countries.
Last Thursday, Philippine customs officers detained Panama-registered cargo ship Capt Ufuk docking off the Mariveles coast.
They found 50 SS1-VI Pindad-made rifles, several other military devices and 10 empty wooden boxes. They believed the contents of the boxes had been removed before they inspected the ship.
The Philippine police alleged that the firearms and rounds of ammunition would be used to supply a terrorist group and criminal organization in Asia and Africa.
PT Pindad denied that the firearms were sold illegally saying the weapons were ordered by Mali and the Philippines.
The state firm said it had received an order from the Philippine markmen assocition for 10 P2 pistols and an order from Mali for 100 SS1-VI rifles.
It said the ordered firearms were put in 20 boxes, including one destined for the Philippines.
PT Pindad spokesman Timbul Sitompul said on Friday all the weapons found by the Philippine customs officers were ordered by the Philippine and Malian governments.***
