Military-police revival a step back: TNI chief

JAKARTA: Indonesian Military (TNI) chief Gen. Endriartono Sutarto gave a lecture on Tuesday at the Police Staff College (PTIK) on the relationship between TNI and the police, stressing their separate functions in the post-reform era.

Endriartono said the separation of the TNI and the National Police had determined the institutions' separate responsibilities, with the military focusing on national defense and the police on domestic security and order.

"The idea to reunite the TNI and the police is a setback," Endriartono said.

The People's Consultative Assembly established the police and the military as separate, non-political entities following the 1998 reform movement and the installation of a civilian government. -- JP