Police's neutrality
Police's neutrality
From Media Indonesia
Regarding the present political development, in particular the leadership of the National Police, the Communications on Police Performance Monitoring would like to state the following:
1. In the spirit of reform, we fully support the National Police's independence and its apolitical role, and free from corruption, collusion and nepotism. As a security apparatus, the National Police should not allow itself to be dragged into practical politics.
2. In connection with above, we regret the statements made by several members of the House of Representatives on the potential candidates, namely Ahwil Lutan, Yun Mulyana and Chaeruddin Ismail, to replace the nonactive National Police chief Suroyo Bimantoro. These legislators are clearly intervening in the internal affairs of the police. A fit and proper test will be a better and fairer method to determine which of the candidates is the right person to replace S. Bimantoro, than personally championing a candidate.
3. In my opinion, presidential Decree No. 41/2001 on the suspen sion of the National Police chief has not contradicted the People's Consultative Assembly's Decree No. VIII/2000 because the later has not been enacted into law and is still a bill being debated by the House members. As such, the President referred to Law No. 28/1997, which stipulates that the president assumes the highest authority over the police of the Republic of Indonesia. Regarding the position of deputy chief of the National Police, although the President issued a presidential decree on the abolition of this position, this decree only comes into effect in July, 2001. Besides, replacements and appointments of police personnel must be approved by the President.
4. In our opinion, the legislators should be paying attention to the problems ordinary people are facing every day, such as the fuel price hike, labor matters, unemployment and so forth. It is not proper, therefore, for a legislator to be preoccupied with power politics and horse trading.
5. The National Police as an institution should remain solid and shun practical politics. It must also ensure it is performing its role as the community's servant and protector.
EDDY SISWOYO
Executive Director of
Communications of National
Police Performance
Jakarta