More protests expected before pools

SEMARANG (JP): National Police Chief Gen. Banurusman Astrosemitro has warned his 180,000-strong force to prepare themselves for more demonstrations over the next two years as the nation gears up for the 1997 general elections.

In a speech addressing new graduates and recruits at the Police Academy on Thursday, Banurusman warned of the rising rate of crimes "with political nuances" and the need to strengthen professionalism to meet these problems.

"Every officer must watch the trends. Give this issue your utmost attention" he said, stressing that there have been plenty of examples of this type of crime in the past year.

He cited the murder case of labor activist Marsinah; the various cases of slander against the head of state; the blasphemy case of soothsayer Permadi Satrio Wiwoho; and the investigation of politician Sri Bintang Pamungkas and scholar George Aditjondro for allegedly insulting President Soeharto.

"These cases indicate how important it is for the police force to step up their professionalism," he said.

The general said it is normal to see political activities intensifying in the run up to the general elections. The police task, he added, is to fight off crimes related to these activities.

Politically-motivated crimes still account for a small portion of all crimes committed in Indonesia, but they are slowly rising in number, Banurusman said. Eighty percent of all crimes are economically motivated, he added.

"The police must master all the problems related to gathering permits," he added. "If it is possible, every officer must be equipped with a handycam (mini-video camera) to record every detail of every demonstration and public gathering." (har)