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