Controversial police bill endorsed without change<\/p>\n
The Jakarta Post, Jakarta<\/p>\n
The House of Representatives approved on Monday the controversial
\nNational Police bill, which critics claimed was overly
\nmilitaristic and was possibly open to abuse by the president's
\noffice.<\/p>\n
Only a few changes had been made to the bill which was passed
\ndespite severe public criticism.<\/p>\n
The House initially responded to these criticisms by
\npostponing its passage on Oct. 24, and formed a special committee
\nto further review the bill.<\/p>\n
The committee was given 19 days to disseminate information
\nabout the bill and gather public input.<\/p>\n
But no substantial changes on any of the critical points of
\nthe bill were evident as it easily passed Monday's House plenary
\nsession.<\/p>\n
Legislators conceded that much of the public's criticism was
\nnot taken into account. Some even formally apologized.<\/p>\n
"Yes, we approved the bill without corrections in the
\ncontroversial articles," Roy B.B. Janis, chairman of the
\nIndonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDI Perjuangan) faction
\nreplied when asked by The Jakarta Post.<\/p>\n
However, he argued that the explanation to the new law should
\nsuffice in insuring that abuses would not occur.<\/p>\n
PDI Perjuangan, in its remarks, made a public apology after
\nhaving failed "to correct" the controversial articles.<\/p>\n
The new law, submitted by the government in February, in
\nessence recognizes People's Consultative Assembly decree No. VI
\nand VII\/2000, which separates the police from the Indonesian
\nMilitary.<\/p>\n
One of the major complaints of the new law is the stipulation
\nthat it places the primary duty of police in maintaining security
\nand public order above the role of serving and protecting the
\npeople.<\/p>\n
There is also a fear that the police may now also be prone to
\nbe used as a political tool at the whim of the executive as the
\nforce was placed directly under the authority of the president.<\/p>\n
Minister of Justice and Human Rights Yusril Ihza Mahendra who
\nwas present at the House on Monday, nevertheless defended the new
\nlaw.<\/p>\n
Yusril seemed to shift the blame, arguing that the
\ncontroversial articles complied with Assembly Decrees and the
\nConstitution.<\/p>\n
He pointed out that Article 30 of the amended 1945
\nConstitution clearly states foremost that police are an
\ninstitution which maintains security and order.<\/p>\n
On the question of placing police under the supervision of the
\npresident, Yusril further argued that the government is merely
\nheeding the stipulations of the Assembly decree.<\/p>\n
"I really cannot answer if you ask me this question, since the
\nAssembly, as the highest institution in the land, decreed that
\npolice would be under the supervision of the president," he said.<\/p>\n
Yusril further tried to calm fears of possible abuses of
\npower, saying that despite the president's overriding authority,
\npolice still have to act in accordance with the law.<\/p>\n
"Structurally it is under the president. But the basis for
\npolice action is the law, not the president," he insisted.<\/p>\n
The new law will be ratified by the president and be enacted
\nby the president within 30 days.<\/p>\n
Key Points of the New National Police Law<\/p>\n
* Police will be placed under the authority of the president with
\nthe chief of police directly accountable to the president.
\n * Police, as a state institution, will maintain security and
\norder, uphold the law, provide protection and serve the public
\nwithin the context of domestic security.
\n * Police personnel will be subject to civil law.
\n * Police must remain politically neutral and avoid involvement
\nin practical politics.
\n * Police must refrain from voting and cannot be elected.
\n * Maximum retirement age will be 58 extendable to 60.<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/controversial-police-bill-endorsed-without-change-1447893297",
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"sponsor": "Okusi Associates",
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