Terrorism may prompt police to neglect other issues
Damar Harsanto, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta
The police could be overburdened with dozens of unresolved cases if they are asked to deal with more terrorism-related cases, says one legal observer.
"It's no doubt that police resources have been absorbed to combat terrorism. However, they must manage their tasks more efficiently by slashing unnecessary spending," legal observer, Hendardi told the Jakarta Post.
Hendardi called on the police to be professional, and not neglect their investigations of other cases, especially those which had wider public implications.
"Police failure to cope with high profile cases could strengthen public suspicion that the police intentionally push those cases aside using the excuse that they have to prioritize terrorism," said Hendardi.
Hendardi gave an example of high profile cases being neglected which included the alleged bribery case implicating lawyer Elza Syarief and other cases like the graft involving fast food restaurant McDonald's boss, Bambang Rachmadi.
City Police Detective Chief would not offer an explanation on the status of those cases.
"I must first ask to my investigators (about the ongoing legal status of those cases)," City Police Detective Chief, Sr. Comr. Andi Chaeruddin told The Jakarta Post recently.
Andi admitted that most of his staff was absorbed with the terrorist case related to the Bali bombings which killed more than 190, and injured 300 others.
"We understand that there are "seasons" (for handling cases)...And, currently, we are simply work in accordance with the "season," which includes offenses related to terrorism," he explained.
Andi revealed that almost every one of his detectives was allocated to cases related to terrorists, the remainder were probing drug-related and corruption cases.
Andi admitted that since most of his energy was being absorbed by those problems, that other cases were on the back burner.
"But, we promise to continue legal proceedings to settle the investigations over those neglected cases," he said.
Police have some homework to do to clear up high profile cases demanded by the public, especially the one involving Elza, who defended the assassination case of the youngest son of former President Soeharto, Hutomo "Tommy" Mandala Putra.
Elza was charged with violating Article 242 of the Criminal Code on giving false testimony under oath and Article 2 of the law No. 11/1980 on bribery, which carry sentences of seven years and five years jail respectively.
In addition to Elza's case, police still have to settle the investigation process over the graft case involving president director of PT McDonald's Indonesia, Bambang N. Rachmadi. Bambang was named a suspect by City Police in the Rp 40 billion (US$4 million) graft case involving state-owned social security company PT Jamsostek.