National Police told to maintain security, stability
National Police told to maintain security, stability
JAKARTA (JP): President Soeharto told the police force
yesterday to not hesitate to nip any form of criminal activity
posing a danger to national development in the bud.
"The strong current of globalization now sweeping the world
has not only brought about positive results regarding economic,
cultural and socio-political relationships among nations, but has
also resulted in a significant rise in the number of criminal
activities worldwide," the President said in a written speech
read out by National Police Chief Gen. Banurusman during a
ceremony to commemorate the 48th anniversary of the National
Police Force.
Soeharto reminded the police in his speech that law breakers
have become more sophisticated in their activities. "Now they
have started trying to find loopholes in our criminal codes, to
exploit the weak points of our law enforcers by, for example,
bribing their way past them, etc. This is why I deem it urgent
for the police to nip any form of crime in the bud."
The President also warned the public about the infiltration
of international criminal activities into the country.
"The National Police Force is facing greater and greater
challenges ahead. To answer these challenges, it is indispensable
that the policemen must continually improve their professionalism
and must be on the alert all of the time against any
eventualities," Soeharto added.
He said the police must be able to anticipate any untoward
events that could impair national stability and jeopardize the
Pancasila ideology and the 1945 Constitution.
Reminding the gathering that the National Police Force came
into being shortly after the nation proclaimed its independence
on Aug. 17, 1945, Soeharto pointed out in his speech that the
police serve not only as law enforcers, but also as a unified
force for defense of that independence, which is inseparable from
the Armed Forces.
The celebration for this year's Police Day was staged at the
sporting grounds of police headquarters.
The anniversary celebrations featured a series of attractions,
including a parade by police troops, a martial-arts demonstration
and musical performances.
As in previous years, this year, awards of merit were
presented to a number of police officers for their extraordinary
and meritorious service to the National Police Force in
particular and the nation in general.
Among notable dignitaries in attendance were Minister of
Defense and Security Edi Sudrajat, Armed Forces Chief Gen. Feisal
Tanjung, who acted as the inspector of the ceremony, and two
former national police chiefs, Gen.(ret) Kunarto and Gen.(ret)
Awaluddin Djamin.
Weaknesses
On the occasion, Gen. Feisal said that despite all the
prevalent weaknesses, in general the police force has managed to
show a good performance in keeping law and order.
He said the Armed Forces will consistently develop the police
force so that "they become more professional, skillful and
respectable."
"Efforts to improve the quality of our police force are urgent
especially in view of the facts that the public has become more
law-minded and that criminal activities have become more and more
sophisticated," Feisal said.
He pointed out that efforts to combat crime in the future
will need more professional skills, as well as ideological,
political, economic and socio-cultural analysis.
"There is no denying that the police force serves as the
spearhead in our efforts to maintain order and security," he
added.
He once again stressed that when it comes to quelling public
disturbances, it is the police that should be at the forefront,
not the Armed Forces.
National Police Chief Gen. Banurusman concurred with Feisal,
saying: "The military only serves as a back-up force. And this
could take several forms: either the military personnel are
placed in our group in which we take command, or they will handle
public disturbances and let the police follow up with a further
legal process." (jsk/bas)