TNI, police boost ties to combat sea crimes
The Jakarta Post, Jakarta
National Police chief Gen. Sutanto and Indonesia Military (TNI) commander Gen. Endriartono Sutarto on Monday signed a memorandum of understanding aimed at improving maritime security against smuggling and other sea crimes.
President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono, Supreme Court chief Bagir Manan, Attorney General Abdul Rachman Saleh and other Cabinet members witnessed the signing ceremony that was held on board the KRI Tanjang Nusanive 973 warship in Thousand Islands waters off North Jakarta.
After the signing, Endriartono said that the military was determined to support the government in combating illegal activities, particularly fuel smuggling.
"The main focus is (to combat) fuel (smuggling). But we will also handle other crimes," he told journalists after the event.
Sutanto said that cooperation between police and the military is mandatory to eliminate such crimes.
"Comprehensive cooperation is needed," he added.
However, the signed memorandum of understanding did not stipulate any concrete measures that would be taken by the police and military.
The agreement also aimed at improving human resources of the two security forces.
Meanwhile, President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono, who witnessed the event, said that the government wanted security authorities to increase operations against transnational crimes, such as illegal logging, poaching, illegal trading, drug smuggling, and fuel smuggling, all of which take place in Indonesian waters.
These crimes have caused huge losses to the country, he added.
"I order all law enforcers, including the TNI, to enhance operations to enforce the law against transnational crimes," he said in his speech at the signing ceremony.
The President specifically instructed law enforcers to arrest and impose legal measures against any parties attempting to smuggle fuel abroad, as well as to prevent collusion in the provinces.
Soaring prices of oil on international markets have prompted an increase in cases of fuel smuggling from Indonesia.
The smuggling was partly blamed for chronic fuel shortages in many parts of the country.
The fuel crisis also prompted the President to issue an instruction for the nation to conserve energy.