Indonesia, Australia unite to combat crime

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)