Law enforcement is the key to security in Jakarta

Law enforcement is the key to security in Jakarta

After serving as East Java Police chief since 2003, Insp. Gen.
Firman Gani has now replaced Insp. Gen. Makbul Padmanagara as
Jakarta Police chief. Soon after his inauguration on July 20, The
Jakarta Post's Surabaya-based correspondent, Indra Harsaputra,
interviewed the former chief of the National Police Mobile
Brigade during his recent visit to Surabaya. Below is an excerpt
of the interview.

Question: Congratulations! What do you think about your new
job?

Answer: I perceive the new task as more onerous than my
previous position. Jakarta is much more cosmopolitan than East
Java. That means Jakarta has more complex problems, too, which is
OK for me.

Approaches to religious figures, political figures and local
public figures did work in resolving problems in East Java.

We cannot do the same thing in Jakarta without readiness by
the police to deal with security. Law enforcement is the key to
maintaining the capital's security in general -- meaning that law
enforcement must be the top priority.

I have anticipated the escalation of the crime rate through
several special operations. I also have instructed my
subordinates to be more alert to particular groups that might try
to create chaos during the second round of the presidential
election in September.

The explosion at the office of the General Elections
Commission (KPU) was a serious warning, urging us to beef up
security on election day. We have deployed officers to vital
spots, including the main support centers of the two presidential
candidates and the KPU office. We've also taken into account when
business centers and public places are at their busiest.

Have you done anything else of significance?

Yes, I have to make an extra effort to improve security and
order in Jakarta. The change of name of the city police from
Polda Metro Jaya to Polda Metropolitan Jakarta Jaya is one of our
moves. This change is supposed to evoke a deeper awareness among
my subordinates that safeguarding the metropolis is no easy task;
therefore, to be professional is the main objective.

Hopefully, within the next three to four months, every police
officer will gain a proper understanding of the real meaning of
the new name. An increase in their professionalism will be
manifest in their prompt and meaningful action against crime.

The management, especially of human resources, also needs to
change. More and better training, more interactive discussions
between police elements and a monthly evaluation of what we
achieve will be part of the human resources development program.

We also need more equipment. Within three months, the Jakarta
Police will acquire another 300 operational motorcycles and 100
new cars.

Do you have any comment on police neutrality in relation to
the notorious Banyumas VCD scandal?

The National Police Headquarters is dealing with it. Doesn't
that indicate determination by the police to maintain neutrality?
The National Police have always shown professionalism in acting
against officers who are found to have violated the law.

I cannot promise anything more (in addition to my action
against unscrupulous subordinates). The most important thing for
me is the results of my efforts to maintain my subordinates'
professionalism in providing security for the capital.