Defense Minister Asks Police to be Merged
Tuesday, 09 January, 2007 | 17:12 WIB

TEMPO Interactive, Jakarta: Defense Minister Juwono Sudarsono asked the team for composing the National Security Bill made by the National Police (Polri) HQ to be merged with the team of his department. “I’ve met with Polri Chief on Sunday and have conveyed this matter,” said Juwono after the “Nonalusista Industry Meeting” at the Indonesian Military (TNI) Supply Agency, Cilincing, North Jakarta, yesterday (8/1).

Juwono hopes that there is only one draft bill to be developed by the government, the one which is now being made by the Defense Department. “We will discuss what the police, TNI and all related departments want to be included in one draft.

The conflict between the Defense Department and the police continues to heat up in terms of the National Security Draft Bill. The Defense Department plans to include all operational institutions--such as the police, TNI and the Attorney General’s Office (AGO)—all under one department.

Feeling that the draft composed by the Defense Department was one-sided, last Wednesday, the police formed a working group to analyze the functions and roles of this institution in terms of national security. “This working group will also analyze Polri’s status and position in the State Institution system,” said the working group secretary, Brig. Gen. Syafriadi.

Juwono said that so far his side has never involved the police in discussing the bill. Out of six times, the first discussion was held in the Police Science Academy (PTIK). “That means the police have been involved,” he said.

Police Chief Commissioner Anton Charliyan, a member of the working committee, said he will supply input according to Polri’s division and main duties in public security and order.

Anton said that forming the Polri working group is because Polri wishes to contribute as best as it can in relation to Polri’s main duty. In the discussion, Polri will only bring up public security and order because that is Polri’s domain.

Raden R, Dian Y and Dimas A