Police should be firm in carrying out duties: President
Police should be firm in carrying out duties: President
Fabiola Desy Unidjaja
The Jakarta Post
Jakarta
President Megawati Soekarnoputri ordered the National Police
on Friday to be firm in carrying out their duties in maintaining
law and order in the country.
"Be firm, do your duty without hesitation .... Even when you
have to use equipment in dealing with any violent actions, just
do it ... but please abide by the law, regulations and
procedure," Megawati said in a meeting with high-ranking police
officers at the State Palace.
"I understand human rights issues always shadow all of you in
carrying out your security duties. But you are still police
officers, even in the current transitional period of our country,
which somehow seems to be without clear boundaries," the
President said.
Megawati's remarks came amid lingering doubts over police
determination to handle violent action from protesters, as
happened over the last few months.
The threats by radical groups to launch "sweeps" against
foreigners, along with the burning of other countries' flags,
have yet to be dealt with sternly by the police, even though the
central government has vowed to punish the perpetrators of such
acts.
The latest incident, when the police dispersed violent
protesters of the Islamic Defenders Front (FPI), created even
further furor, in which the police were accused of acting
disproportionately.
The President further reminded them that as law enforcers, the
police had special equipment, which, according to the law, ought
to be used consistently.
She also reminded the police that they would have to deal with
various security issues ahead of the upcoming major holidays --
Idul Fitri, Christmas, New Year and Chinese New Year.
"People will be very busy during those days and it is the job
of the police to make sure that everything goes smoothly and in
accordance with the regulations," she remarked.
National Police chief Surojo Bimantoro said in his speech that
the police were ready to take on the responsibility as national
security officers and fully understood that one of the
government's priorities was to ensure law enforcement.
"We have planned several police operations to maintain
security for both the upcoming major events, including the Annual
Session of the People's Consultative Assembly and the national
holidays, and the safety of foreigners and their property in the
country," Bimantoro said.
At least 41 National Police officials and police chiefs from
all provinces met her on Friday to report on the results of their
working meeting last week.
Since the separation of the National Police from the
Indonesian Military, doubts linger over the police's ability to
handle security issues of major concern, which used to be the
responsibility of the military in the previous three decades.
"There is a hard task ahead of you. We are very concerned that
at a time when the reputation of the police is being questioned,
you are almost torn apart by the unfavorable political
situation," Megawati said.