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| Southeast Asia |
| Police Claim Domestic Security Role |
| 2003-02-22 |
| In a direct response to statements by Army Chief of Staff Lt. Gen. Ryamizard Ryacudu that the military's domestic security role should be reinstated, National Police chief DaâI Bachtiar has insisted that the role remains the province of the police. In a speech to the foreign investment community Thursday, Bachtiar said on four separate occasions that âthe police are responsible for the domestic security of the stateâ. That's the case in all the best states. The fact that it hasn't been so in the past is one of the big reasons why Indonesia hasn't been one of the best states... Ryamizard had told a press briefing after a closed-door meeting with active and retired top Army officers that âwe are still dealing with disintegration problemsâ. He added that the Army was concerned over the state of Indonesiaâs territorial integrity. Armies should be concerned with repelling invasions and such. They can also be used in putting down rebellions. Other than that, they should be training and stay the hell out of politix. Former President Abdurrahman Wahid transferred the police out of the Armed Forces Command structure and gave it responsibility for domestic security. Good move. Police chief Bachtiar, in a 45-minute address to a dinner hosted by Minister for Industry and Trade Rini M.S. Soewandi, also claimed the security position was much improved. In response to a questioner following the address, he said the police expected and would allow demonstrations if the US attacked Iraq, but a close guard would be kept to make sure foreign interests or people were not targeted. The Indon coppers gained a lot of face in the wake of the Bali bombings. The army hasn't got much but a reputation for brutality and a tendency to go out of control. |
| Posted by:Fred Pruitt |