| Country: | Indonesia |
| Details of Formation: | The PGM was set up in 1986 by the Indonesian Special Forces (Kopassus) to fight the independence movement. The group had very close ties with Kopassus as it was controlled by some of their commanders. It was active in eastern East Timor and its existence was based on the 1945 Constitution and Law No 20/1982. |
| Details of Termination: | The group’s termination is unclear; it was probably incorporated into the joint pro-integration militia. Unlike other militias, Alfa's leaders were charged and sentenced in 2001/2. It is coded as terminated on 25 October 1999 when the UN Transitional Administration in East Timor (UNTAET) was established. |
| Purpose: | The group was pro-integration and was used against pro-independence supporters and to force people into becoming pro-integrationists. It was also intended to assist Kopassus in combat operations. |
| Organisation: | The PGM’s leader was Kopassus-trained Joni Marques. It was closely linked and subordinated to Kopassus and specifically controlled by officer Sgt. Syaful Anwar and by the Kopassus commander for Lautem District, Lt. Rahman Zulkarnaen. The Bupati of Lautem, Edmundo da Conceiçao Silva, also supported the militia financially. |
| Weapons and Training: | The group was armed and trained by Kopassus. Weapons included bayonets. |
| Size: | -- |
| Reason for Membership: | -- |
| Treatment of Civilians: | The militia was responsible for human rights violations and war crimes, including murders (also of journalists, priests, nuns), beatings, rape, torture, abductions and arbitrary arrests. It threatened or used violence to force civilians to become pro-integrationist. The group’s actions contributed to an escalation of violence against civilians in East Timor. |
| Other Information: | The group was also called Alfa, Alpha, Tim Alfa and was active in the Lautem district. Reportedly members were given pills that fostered violent behavior. |
| References: | Information was taken from news sources listed in the PGMD. |