Sutanto vows to be impartial

The Jakarta Post, Jakarta

Newly installed National Police chief Gen. Sutanto pledged to turn the force into an independent institution, despite his close ties to President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono.

During the handover ceremony held on Saturday at the Mobile Brigade (Brimob) Headquarters in Kelapa Dua, Depok, Sutanto warned police officers against becoming involved in political activities or working for political parties.

Every officer has a right to take an interest in politics as part of democracy, but that does not mean that they are permitted to become directly involved in political activities, he stressed.

"The police force needs to seek the best form of public control to ensure its independence," Sutanto said, adding that the police had to willingly work together with whoever was president.

Sutanto's appointment as police chief had been touted by close aides of Susilo since the latter took office in October last year. The two were the outstanding graduates of the Military Academy in their respective fields in 1973.

Sutanto was promoted to the rank of commissioner general in February, when he took command of the National Narcotics Agency, a post which he held for less then five months.

During his speech on Saturday, Sutanto said the change of leadership, which took place close to the force's anniversary, marked a new beginning for the internal reform process as part of the effort to improve the force's capabilities, professionalism and independence.

"The police must not take sides in the performance of their duties," Sutanto said.

Article 28 of the National Police Law (No. 2/2002) says the police are prohibited from engaging in political activities.

In one case that took place during the term of Sutanto's predecessor, Gen. Da'i Bachtiar, an officer was assigned a desk job by the police disciplinary council for openly supporting presidential candidate Megawati Soekarnoputri, who was also the incumbent at the time.

Banyumas Police chief Sr. Comr. Andi Mapparessa was found guilty of partiality, but no charges were laid against him under the electoral legislation.

Apart from urging police officers to improve their independence, Sutanto also warned them against taking the law into their own hands.

"The police only enforce, not create, the law, and must perform their duties in line with the legislation," he said.

He asked the police force to reform its behavior, ethics and culture in order to provide better services to the public.

"To achieve these goals, we should start with changes inside the institution. Every police officer should understand that he or she is responsible for providing services to the public," Sutanto said.

Susilo has asked Sutanto, who rose to prominence due to his perceived tough stance against gambling, to focus on corruption eradication, fuel smuggling, illegal logging and drug trafficking.