TNI denies police training linked to Paspampres

TNI denies police training linked to Paspampres

JAKARTA (JP): Jakarta Garrison Commander Brig. Gen. Hasanuddin
denied on Tuesday a statement made by a senior police officer
that some 200 police officers had been undergoing special
training to replace the military personnel currently assigned to
the Presidential Guard.

"The 200 police officers will only replace members deployed in
the VVIP Presidential Guard detachment, which comes under the
coordination of the Jakarta Garrison and whose members consist of
personnel drawn from different TNI (Indonesian Military) and
police units," Hasanuddin was quoted by Antara as saying.

Thus, the training of the police personnel has nothing to do
with the Presidential Guard (Paspampres), he added.

"They are not going to be assigned as Paspampres personnel,"
Hasanuddin announced after the hand-over ceremony for the new
commander of the Army's Special Force (Kopassus) at Kopassus
Headquarters in Cijantung, South Jakarta.

Head of the public information unit at National Police
Headquarters Sr. Supt. Saleh Saaf said on Monday that some 200
police personnel were being trained in Serpong, Tangerang, as
part of the preparations to replace military personnel currently
assigned to Paspampres.

The news was initially made known by National Police chief
Gen. Rusdihardjo last Thursday during a gathering with former
National Police chiefs and retired senior police officers. At the
meeting, Rusdihardjo said Paspampres would soon be disbanded and
its duties handed over to police personnel.

This shift in responsibilities, he said, could be seen as
another positive achievement by the National Police, following
the separation of the force from the TNI in April of last year.

According to Hasannudin, the VVIP Presidential Guard unit is
responsible for ensuring the safety of the nation's former
presidents and vice presidents.

Paspampres, on the other hand, is responsible for the safety
of the incumbent President and Vice President, he said.

When asked to comment on Hasanuddin's remarks, Saleh supported
the garrison commander, saying that Hasanuddin was correct.

However, Saleh added, the training of the 200 police personnel
as members of the VVIP Presidential Guard unit is part of a
process leading toward the disbandment of Paspampres.

"(The disbandment) will not be carried out overnight,
however," Saleh said.

The Jakarta Garrison is responsible for all TNI forces and
police in the capital. The garrison is under the command of the
Jakarta Military commander.

The training, Saleh said, is taking place at the police's
training and education center (Pusdiklat) in Serpong. The
training, he added, was in line with international standards.
(08)