Scrap territorial-command system to make police independent<\/p>\n
A major obstacle of democracy is the failure to make the
\npolice an independent force of the military, says noted lawyer
\nand member of an independent body set up to probe recent
\nbombings, the Indonesian Forum for Peace (FID), Todung Mulya
\nLubis.<\/p>\n
Question: As a FID member, what is your experience in working
\nwith the police?<\/p>\n
Answer: In enforcing the laws the police tend to do their jobs
\nin a repressive military style. That's why there have sometimes
\nbeen victims. If we fail to establish an independent, clean and
\nrespected police force, we won't be able to have real democracy,
\nuphold human rights and the rule of law. All these need the
\ncrucial role of the police.<\/p>\n
We now see the police trying to change their image. But only a
\nfew things have been done so far. We should remember that the
\npolice have many limitations.<\/p>\n
There are only 150,000 active police officers serving a
\npopulation of 210 million people. In the United States, for
\nexample, which is another huge country, each state has its own
\npolice department. Here, the police force is centralized.<\/p>\n
Q: What about their professionalism?<\/p>\n
A: This is about improving education and training. In the past,
\npeople who wanted to join the police force had to attend the
\nSchool of Joint Military Command which was heavily militaristic
\nin style. We need to have educational institutes for the police
\nto make them a real state apparatus dealing with law enforcement.<\/p>\n
The police also lack sophisticated facilities and equipment
\nfor communications and information.<\/p>\n
Many international bodies like the International Monetary
\nFund, the United Nations Development Program and other overseas
\ndonors say that if Indonesia wants to be a democratic nation, the
\npolice should be stronger.<\/p>\n
I recently met with officials from the U.S. State Department
\nand Congress. I told them they should focus on Indonesia's police
\nforce. Strengthening the police should be Indonesia's present
\nmain agenda.<\/p>\n
Without improvement, the police won't be able to finalize
\ninvestigations of recent bombings in Jakarta simply because they
\ndon't have the capability. They are unable to investigate those
\nwho should have been investigated.<\/p>\n
Over 100 people could have been questioned in relation to the
\nbombing at the Philippines' ambassador's residence in Jakarta
\nlast year, but I'm not sure that the police have investigated the
\ncase comprehensively.<\/p>\n
That's why the police should also have much more training in
\nhandling terrorism. Bombing for instance, is not too complicated,
\npeople can download documents from the Internet on how to make
\nbombs. Terrorism has become our daily threat.<\/p>\n
Q: Do you think the police are powerless or unable to conduct the
\ninvestigations of the bombings?<\/p>\n
A: There could possibly be pressure on the police (in the
\ninvestigations). If so, they are involved in a cover up (of the
\ncase). Then, we wouldn't have to wonder why there has been no
\nresults of the investigation.<\/p>\n
FID got information that a person was held in relation to the
\nbombing in the Cathedral (in Central Jakarta) but later ...
\nunconfirmed information said this person was later taken by the
\nmilitary. If it is true, the police are really weak.<\/p>\n
Civil society should play a role in establishing an
\nindependent police force. We can't improve the police overnight,
\nbut it must be a priority.<\/p>\n
Q: Do you think the military pressures the police?<\/p>\n
A: There could have been military pressure, institutionally or
\nnoninstitutionally. If the police can be suppressed, the future
\nof human rights and democracy in Indonesia is gloomy.<\/p>\n
This is also about power. Some military officers are unhappy
\nwith the separation of the military and the police (since 1999),
\nand that the police now (officially) handle security and order.
\nPeople in numerous places outside Jakarta have complained that
\nthe police were powerless to face the military.<\/p>\n
I agree with the idea to remove the Indonesian Military
\nterritorial commands to spur the police to become an independent
\nforce. So far, the police have been in the shadow of these
\nterritorial commands.<\/p>\n
Nonbudgetary sources and spending should be more transparent.
\nSome in the military are also unhappy with the reduction of their
\nrole in politics. But it's best to have professional soldiers.
\nJust let the police and civil society handle democracy.<\/p>\n
Q: What kind of role should civil society play in improving the
\npolice?<\/p>\n
A: Civil society should realize that a stronger national police
\nforce will benefit them in guaranteeing any kind of democratic
\nrights. Society should empower the police to do so as democracy
\ncan only work in an orderly and peaceful condition.<\/p>\n
For instance, the police have the right to guard
\ndemonstrations to avoid anarchy. But the police should not make
\nit hard for those who want to hold rallies. Also, people should
\nnot think that the police are over zealous when they arrest those
\nwho violate laws in a rally.<\/p>\n
Such a condition needs a process, so civil society can be more
\nresponsible and the police more persuasive.<\/p>\n
Q: Has FID experienced any pressure from the military or police?<\/p>\n
A: No. FID is an independent forum with no power or rights to
\ninvestigate someone. So, our investigating team doesn't interfere
\nwith the duties of the police. But we are worried that the police
\nare not entirely independent, that they are under pressure.<\/p>\n
FID limits its duty to the case of the Christmas Eve bombings.<\/p>\n
Q: What has FID found so far?<\/p>\n
A: We have had some preliminary findings, indicating that the
\nbombings are related to groups from Maluku, East Timor and West
\nJava. We are still investigating the types of the bombs, the
\nmaterial of the bombs and the modus operandi.<\/p>\n
We have proposed setting up a joint fact-finding team with the
\ngovernment. It is still being discussed at the coordinating
\nminister for political, social and security affairs office.<\/p>\n
A panel which includes the government, the police and FID, is
\nlikely to be preferred by the government. I think such a panel
\nwill become only a kind of bridge to connect the investigations
\nheld separately by the police and FID. (I. Christianto)<\/p>",
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"sponsor": "Okusi Associates",
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