Indonesia, Australia unite to combat crime

JAKARTA (JP): Indonesian and Australian police forces agreed in Canberra yesterday to help one another in fighting transnational crimes.

A memorandum of understanding was signed in the Australian capital by Gen. Dibyo Widodo and Commissioner Mick J. Palmer, chiefs of the Indonesian National Police and the Australian Federal Police respectively, Antara said.

Dibyo underscored the importance of the agreement in fighting transnational crimes and other new crimes which he said could affect both countries and the region.

The signing was a follow up to the agreement on mutual assistance in criminal matters the two forces signed in Jakarta in October 1995.

Gen. Widodo was accompanied by Jakarta Metropolitan Police Chief Maj. Gen. Hamami Nata and Secretary of the National Bureau of Interpol Brig. Gen. Ahwil Lutan in his visit to Australia.

Commissioner Palmer said the agreement was important for the enforcement of law in their respective countries in anticipation of the globalization era and possible border issues.

He hailed the agreement's clause calling for the establishment of a joint working group, which would meet every six months.

Under the agreement, the two forces will exchange information on criminal activities by identifying suspected groups or people in their countries.

The two forces will extend assistance and provide facilities to visiting officers from the other country who are sent to conduct an investigation.

The two forces will explore the possibility of helping visiting officers from the other country gain an understanding of local police operational procedures.

Indonesia has sent several of its police officers to study in Darwin, Canberra and Sydney as part of an exchange program with Australia. (10)