International crime may dominate 1995, police say

JAKARTA (JP): Based on the crime records in 1994, National Police Chief Gen. Banurusman estimates that international crime will significantly increase in Indonesia next year.

"International crime must be anticipated, particularly crime that benefits from loopholes in our economic laws," Banurusman told reporters after bestowing the Bhayangkara Utama police medals on three chiefs of staff from the Indonesian Armed Forces.

International crime covers white-collar crime, drugs, prostitution, extortion and gambling. It sometimes leads to murder.

Banurusman's statement may be connected to recent crimes in Jakarta involving foreign suspects. The suspects live overseas which makes it almost impossible for the police to arrest them because there may be no extradition agreement with the respective country.

To anticipate the growth of international crime, and the birth of organized crime, the National Police has updated its forensic laboratory with modern tools and is improving its investigator's skills, Banurusman assured.

"We have detected organized crime, like the Yakuza and the Triad," he said. "We will therefore increase our monitoring next year, particularly of syndicates in the smuggling and drug business," he added.

In addition to conventional crime in the capital, banking crime, for instance, also requires serious attention, said the four-star general.

"White-collar crime must be detected," Banurusman said.

Medals

The Bhayangkara Utama medals, the highest award provided by the Indonesian Police, were given to Army Chief of Staff Gen. Wismoyo Arismunandar, Air Force Chief of Staff Marshall Rilo Pambudi and Navy Chief of Staff Admiral Tanto Kuswanto at a ceremony held at the National Police headquarters yesterday morning.

"The Army, Air Force and Navy have helped develop the police organization. Therefore, the National Police has given them these medals as a token of our appreciation," Banurusman concluded. (bsr)