AFTER KANJURUHAN TRAGEDY, INDONESIA PURSUES FOOTBALL TRANSFORMATION by Fardah

 

Jakarta, 6/11/2022 (ANTARA) - The Kanjuruhan stadium stampede in Malang district, East Java, on October 1, 2022, which left 135 people, including 43 children, dead, 93 seriously injured, and 484 lightly wounded, has emerged as one of the deadliest disasters in world football history.

Two separate investigationsone conducted by the joint independent fact-finding team (TGIPF) formed by the Indonesian government and another by the National Commission of Human Rights (Komnas HAM)have confirmed that the use of tear gas by the police triggered the deadly crowd crush.

Their findings are in accordance with information provided by eyewitnesses and survivors of the stampede.

TGIPF, which was headed by Coordinating Minister for Political, Legal, and Security Affairs, Mahfud MD, submitted the results of its investigation to President Joko Widodo on October 14. Meanwhile, Komnas HAM shared the results of its investigation with the press on November 2.

This has indeed been our standing point from the start. Tear gas was the main trigger for the deaths, injuries, or trauma, a member of the commission, Choirul Anam, said at a press conference in Jakarta on November 2.

The police fired tear gas 45 times during the incident, according to another Komnas HAM member, Beka Ulung Hapsara.

The Kanjuruhan stampede occurred following a football match between Arema FC of Malang and Persebaya of Surabaya. Only supporters of Arema were present at the stadium during the match, as supporters of Persebaya were not allowed into the stadium due to security concerns.

Chaos broke out at the stadium when several Arema supporters stormed the pitch after the team lost 23 to Persebaya.

The Malang police, who were supported by military personnel in guarding the match, tried to restore order by firing tear gas, among other measures.

On October 20, Minister Mahfud said that the police and the Indonesian Football Association (PSSI) were equally responsible for the incident.

 

INVESTIGATION TEAMS EXPECTED TO REVEAL TRUTH OF POST-ELECTION UNREST

Rabu, 29 Mei 2019 22:38

Daerah : Jakarta

By Fardah

Jakarta, 29/5 (Antara) -
Jakarta's post-election rally, which ended in violence from May 21 to 22, 2019, claimed eight lives and resulted in hundreds of protestors, and nine police officers, being injured. The police claimed, however, that seven people were dead, while others said the fatalities reached more than 10.

Of those injured, 294 victims were between 20 and 24 years old, and 170 others were below 19 years, while the deaths included three teens, according to the Governor of Jakarta, Anies Baswedan.

The General Elections Commission (KPU) announced the final results of the recent parliamentary and presidential elections on May 22 at 1:28 a.m., declaring that the Jokowi-Maruf Amin pair had secured 85 million votes, or 55.5 percent of the national vote, as compared to contenders Prabowo Subianto-Sandiaga Uno receiving 68 million votes, or 44.5 percent.

The Jokowi-Amin pair has since declared victory, while the Prabowo-Sandi pair rejected the KPU's official tabulation result and issued a legal challenge at the Constitutional Court (MK).

This unfinished political process sparked a mass protest from the Prabowo supporters, who alleged massive fraud in the presidential elections.

The police allowed them to stage a rally until they finished performing Tarawih, the evening prayers during the holy month of Ramadan, on the evening of May 21. As revealed by National Police spokesman Brig. Gen. Dedi Prasetyo, the peaceful demonstrators left the front of the Bawaslu (Election Supervisory Agency) building around 9 p.m.

POLICE, MILITARY GEAR UP FOR 2019 ELECTION SECURITY by Fardah

 Jakarta, Feb 2, 2019 (Antara) - Indonesia will hold simultaneous legislative and presidential elections throughout the country's 34 provinces on April 17, 2019, believed to be one of the world's most complex elections.

         Of its total population of 260 million people, over 185.6 million are registered as illegible voters in Indonesia.

       The General Election Commission (KPU) will set up a total of 801,838 polling stations in the world's largest archipelago with over 17 thousand island.

       The next presidential and legislative elections will be the fourth organized directly, democratically, and simultaneously across the country, which is considered as the world's fourth largest democratic nation.

        With its independence declared on Aug 17, 1945, Indonesia held its first elections in 1955, but it was not direct elections. The first direct presidential election was organized in 2004.

        Most of the elections were relatively safe and peaceful. And this year, many parties believe that the Indonesian Police (Polri) and the Indonesian Defense Forces (TNI) personal will replicate their success in guarding the election process once again.

         The Indonesian Police will deploy 272 thousand officers, and the TNI 43 thousand officers to secure the implementation of the 2019 elections.

        In addition to the military and police personnel, some 1.73 million members of Linmas (community protection group) or civilian security personnel will also be involved in the security team.

         A joint meeting of the police and military leadership was organized in Jakarta on Jan 29, 2019, to discuss security measures for the 2019 general elections.

JOINT TEAM EXPECTED TO SOLVE MYSTERY OF BASWEDAN CASE by Fardah

Jakarta (Antara)- Nearly two years have passed since Novel Baswedan, senior investigator of the Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK), was attacked with acid that caused him to lose vision in his left eye, but the perpetrators are still at large and unidentified until now.

         Baswedan was fatally attacked while heading home after performing Fajr, or the Dawn prayer, at a mosque nearby when two motorcyclists hurled acid on his face that injured his eyes, particularly the left eye, on April 11, 2017.

        Baswedan, a 42-year-old retired police officer, had joined the anti-graft agency in 2007 and was entrusted with investigating major corruption cases, including those allegedly involving several high-ranking officials. Since then, he has been frequently terrorized and attacked.

       Both the Jakarta Metro Jaya Police and the National Police's Crime Investigation Department have claimed that they are incessantly investigating the case, but the investigation has failed to trace the attackers so far.

        Finally, the Indonesian Police has announced that Chief of the Indonesian Police (Polri) General Tito Karnavian on Jan 8, 2019, signed an assignment letter on establishment of a joint team to investigate the case of Baswedan.

        The joint team, comprising 65 members representing officers of the Polri, the KPK, the National Human Rights Commission (Komnas HAM), the Indonesian Institute of Sciences (LIPI), and NGOs, will work from Jan 8 to July 7, 2019.

        The joint team was formed at the recommendation of the Komnas HAM, Inspector General M Iqbal, spokesman of the National Police, stated on Jan 11, 2019.

       Iqbal later explained that the joint team is a technical team to investigate the case and not a joint fact finding team (TGPF) that has been suggested by several KPK commissioners and NGOs.

INDONESIAN POLICE TO GIVE PRIORITY TO ASIAN GAMES SECURITY by Fardah

Jakarta, July 12, 2018 (Antara)- Indonesia is committed to giving a priority to the security during the implementation of the 18th Asian Games to be co-hosted by Jakarta and the South Sumatra provincial capital of Palembang from Aug 18 to Sept 2, 2018.

        The Asian Games will be participated in by some 9,500 athletes, 2,500 personnel of the Asian Olympic Council, and 5,500 technical delegates from 45 countries.  Around 3,500 journalists from all over the world are expected to cover the largest sport event in Asia.

          President Joko Widodo (Jokowi) in his remarks during the 72nd anniversary of Bhayangkara (Police) Day on July 11, lauded  the National Police (Polri)  for   successfully maintaining the country's law and order so far. 
    He cited the 2018 Global Law and Order report compiled by consultancy firm Gallup which found that Singapore and Indonesia are among the top ten safest countries in the world.

       Singapore is at the top of the Law and Order Index, while Indonesia ranks ninth, below Switzerland and Canada and just above Denmark, seasia.co reported.   
    The Head of State, however, reminded Polri to not being easily satisfied with the achievement because  there are a number of huge tasks waiting for police in the near future, such as the 18th Asian Games, the third Asian Para Games, and the IMF-World Bank Annual Meetings which will be held this year.    
       Polri Chief General Tito Karnavian on the occasion disclosed that the Indonesian police began to focus operations to maintain order and security to ensure success in the implementation of the 2018 Asian games.

JOKOWI LAUDS DEDICATION, HARD WORK OF INDONESIAN POLICE by Fardah

Jakarta, July 12, 2018 (Antara)- President Joko Widodo (Jokowi), while acting as the inspector at a ceremony to celebrate the Indonesian Police's Bhayangkara Day on July 11, 2018, conveyed his congratulations and gratitude to the members of the National Police (Polri) for their hard work and dedication to the nation so far.

         The Bhayangkara Day has been observed annually since July 1, 1946, based on a decree issued by Soekarno, Indonesia's first president, 72 years ago.

         "On behalf of the people, the nation, and the state, I convey my congratulations on the 72nd anniversary of Bhayangkara Day to every police officer and the big family of Polri in Indonesia, wherever you are assigned, from Sabang to Merauke, and from Mianggas to Rote Isle," the president stated before Vice President M Jusuf Kalla, Chief of Polri General Tito Karnavian, House Speaker Bambang Soesatyo, Chairman of the People's Consultative Assembly (MPR) Zulkifli Hasan, as well as thousands of police officers attending the ceremony.

        He also lauded the success of Polri in maintaining security during the Islamic fasting month of Ramadan; Eid Fitri; guarding travelers joining the Eid Fitri exodus; and the third regional head elections held in 171 regions last June.

        The President was also proud that Indonesia has been included in the list of the top ten safest countries in the world.

POLICE GENERAL'S APPOINTMENT AS ACTING WEST JAVA GOVERNOR STIRS CONTROVERSY by Fardah

Jakarta, June 21, 2018 (Antara) - Home Affairs Minister Tjahjo Kumolo's decision to install Commissioner General of Police M. Iriawan as West Java acting governor has courted controversy despite the minister's assurance that Iriawan's appointment is in line with existing regulations.

         After studying the appointment, the State Secretariat reached a conclusion that it does not violate any laws, so President Joko Widodo issued a decree on the appointment of Iriawan, Jakarta's former police chief, according to Kumolo.

         The minister installed Iriawan as the acting governor of West Java Province in Bandung, West Java, on June 18, 2018.

         Iriawan, concurrently main secretary of the Indonesian Resilience Institute, succeeded Governor Ahmad Heryawan, whose term of office ended on June 13, 2018.

         His inauguration was based on Presidential Decree No 106/P of 2018 on the honorary dismissal of the governor and deputy governor of West Java for the 2013-2018 term of office and the appointment of acting governor of West Java.

         The appointment of the Police commissioner general was criticized by Luthfi Andi Mutty, a member of Parliament, who opined that the decision is a violation of the existing regulations.

         "Appointing an active police general as the acting governor is a violation of at least three regulations," Mutty noted in a statement.

        As per Law No. 3 of 2002 on Indonesian Police, a police officer can hold a position outside the police after resigning from his post.

         Law No. 10 of 2016 stipulates that to fill the gubernatorial seat, the government can appoint a civil servant.

INTERPOL GENERAL ASSEMBLY HELPS IN SHARING COUNTER-TERRORISM EXPERIENCES by Fardah

Jakarta, Nov 9, 2016 (Antara) - Indonesia feels lucky to be the host of the 85th General Assembly of the International Police (Interpol) being held in Nusa Dua, Bali, from November 7 to 10, 2016.

         The country has seen the major gathering as a good forum for sharing counter-terrorism experiences with the group's 190 member countries, besides offering an opportunity to promote Bali tourism.

         Joining Interpol since 1954, Indonesia has in fact reaped many benefits by coordinating with member countries and learning from their counter-terrorism plans and knowledge.

         "We have uncovered many new modes of operation which had never been found in Indonesia before, but we knew this is based on information from other countries," Head of International Relations Division of the Indonesian Police Headquarters, Inspector General Ketut Untung Yoga, said on the sidelines of the Interpol General Assembly on November 8.

        Indonesia could adopt technics, tactics as well as technologies from other members to improve its capability to cope with a new case, including establishment of regulations, which has yet to be stipulated in the current laws.

         Currently, transnational crimes, which are borderless, demand international cooperation with advanced technology.

         Therefore, Indonesia is backing efforts to strengthen cooperation with the Interpol by exchanging information on ISIS and the emergence of new global threats from foreign terrorists returning home.

         Indonesia's Police Chief General Tito Karnavian earlier confirmed that the meeting would discuss the efforts to strengthen cooperation among police institutions throughout the world in the fight against global security threats such as terrorism.

INTERPOL STRENGTHENS GLOBAL COLLABORATION FOR SAFER WORLD by Fardah

Jakarta, Nov 8, 2016 (Antara)- The International Police (Interpol) is holding its 85th General Assembly in Nusa Dua, Bali, from Nov 7 to 10, 2016, with a main agenda to setting a global roadmap for international policing, and topics varying from terrorism to illegal fishing activities on the table of discussions.

         "Identifying and meeting member countries' security needs in the face of an ever-changing threat landscape is the focus of the INTERPOL General Assembly which opened in Bali, Indonesia today," the Interpol wrote on its official website following the opening of the major gathering by Indonesian Vice President M Jusuf Kalla on Nov 7.

         The meeting is also expected to address the need for enhanced information sharing via Interpol  particularly biometric data, to assist countries identify and interdict these potential threats, detection, investigation, prevention and prosecution of organized crime groups operating across a range of illicit markets.

         Besides, some 830 police chiefs and senior law enforcement officials from 164 countries participating in the assembly also talk about the increasing sophistication and diversification of the modus operandi of cybercriminals will also be addressed during the conference.

         "We are here because the INTERPOL General Assembly is a forum to realise global interests related to our shared responsibility in protecting and securing the global community. Good cooperation between law enforcement will help develop and maintain security and stability and support economic development in an ever-developing and borderless world," Kalla said in his opening remarks.

BALI GEARS UP FOR INTERPOL GENERAL ASSEMBLY by Fardah

Jakarta, Sept 21, 2016 (Antara) - Indonesian Police Chief General Tito Karnavian has reviewed preparations for the 85th General of International Police (Interpol) to be held in Bali, November 7-10, 2016.

        Being able to host an Interpol general assembly is an honor and a very rare opportunity that might not come twice in a century, given the number of Interpol members, including 190 countries, said the general.    
     The Interpol general assembly is believed to be the second largest international gathering, after the UN General Assembly in New York.

         More than one thousand delegates representing 190 countries will participate in the meeting.

         The Indonesian police will pull out all stops to ensure the success of the General Assembly. It will take actions to assure the security of all delegates and international government officials attending the event.

          "Indonesia is the second country, after China, with the largest police force, comprising 430,000," he noted.

           During the inspection, the general was accompanied by Head of the National Police International Relations Division, Inspector General Ketut Untung Yoga, along with Bali Provincial Police Chief Inspector General Sugeng Priyanto.

           After conducting the field inspection, Karnavian chaired a closed-door meeting to discuss technical preparations for the international meeting. Several immigration and other officers also attended.

           Counter-terrorism measures will be one of the main topics to be discussed during the meeting.   
      "There will be a special panel (on the issue of counter-terrorism) and I will be there as one of the speakers," said Karnavian, a former Chief of the National Counter-Terrorism Agency (BPTN).

NEW BIN CHIEF EXPECTED TO STRENGTHEN SYNERGY AMONG INTELLIGENCE AGENCIES By Fardah

Jakarta, Sept 13, 2016 (Antara) - September 9 has to be one of the happiest days for Budi Gunawan, who was installed as the new chief of the National Intelligence Agency (BIN) and at the same time promoted to become a four-star general.

        "Alhamdulillah (Thank God), today I officially became the chief of BIN and at the same time I have been promoted to become police general. This is the mandate I have to bear," said Budi, who entered the Palace as a commissioner general, and came out as a full general after President Joko Widodo (Jokowi) installed him as the new BIN Chief.

        General Budi was appointed as the new BIN chief after securing a seal of approval from the House of Representatives (DPR) at a plenary meeting on Sept. 8.

        Better known as BG, he was earlier deputy to the national police chief, and was the sole candidate for the post of BIN chief. He had to undergo a fit and proper test at the House of Representatives (DPR) before his nomination was endorsed.

        Budi replaced Sutiyoso, the former Jakarta governor, who had held the BIN top post since July 2015.

        Jokowi's decision to appoint Budi as the agency's chief was lauded by many parties, who have seen him as a competent figure.

        The Chairman of the People's Consultative Assembly (MPR) Zulkifli Hasan, for instance, has described Budi as a capable officer equipped with the required experience to lead BIN.

HOPES PINNED ON NEW CHIEF OF COUNTERTERRORISM AGENCY SUHARDI ALIUS by Fardah

Jakarta, July 20, 2016 (Antara) - Hopes are already riding on Commissioner General Suhardi Alius shortly after his inauguration as new chief of the National Counter-Terrorism Agency (BNPT) by President Joko Widodo (Jokowi).

        Alius, a graduate of the Police Academy's 1985 batch, succeeded Tito Karnavian, who was promoted to the post of National Police chief on July 13, 2016.    
   President Jokowi called Alius for a meeting after his inauguration at the State Palace on July 20, 2016.

        "According to the president's directives, terrorism is no longer merely a national but already a global threat. It means that we should implement systematic measures to strongly counter it. Of course, it should be within the framework of pluralism and nationalism," Alius said.
   Earlier, Police Chief General Karnavian had expressed belief in Alius' capability, as he had good managerial and leadership skills, among other qualities.

        "He has also established excellent relations with Islamic mass organizations, activists, civil society, TNI (Indonesian Defense Forces), the National Police, and other institutions. His interpersonal skills are amazing," Karnavian pointed out. 

TOUGHER CHALLENGES AWAIT NEW POLICE CHIEF by Fardah

   Jakarta, July 14, 2016 (Antara) - The newly installed National Police Chief General Tito Karnavian might be relatively young for the top post, but he is believed to be ready to face challenges, which are getting increasingly tougher.

         At 51, Tito is Indonesia's second-youngest police chief after the late legendary General Hoegeng Imam Santoso, who was 47 when he was installed in 1968.

         Previously chief of the National Counter-Terrorism Agency, Tito was installed as the Police chief by President Joko Widodo (Jokowi) at the State Palace on July 13 to succeed General Badrodin Haiti, who entered retirement period in July 2016.
    President Jokowi had proposed the name of the then commissioner general Karnavian as the sole candidate in a letter to the House of Representatives (DPR) on June 15. The DPR then approved Karnavian's nomination at a plenary meeting on June 27.

         "Your challenges in future will be heavier and more complex, but I believe that under your leadership, Polri (Indonesian Police force) will be able to face them well and will be able to gain greater trust of the people," President Jokowi reminded Karnavian in his inauguration remarks.

         The head of state urged Karnavian to specifically focus on maintaining unity in the Police force and on bringing about reforms in his institution.

         "To meet major challenges in future, I ask you to focus on two things. Firstly, you must maintain unity, cohesiveness, and solidarity in the Police force to build a strong foundation to carry out the state duties," he affirmed.

NEXT POLICE CHIEF EXPECTED TO INTENSIFY PROFESSIONALISM, FIGHT EXTRAORDINARY CRIMES by Fardah

 Jakarta, June 16, 2016 (Antara) - The uncertainty surrounding who would take over the reins from outgoing Police Chief General Badrodin Haiti has finally cleared after the Presidential Palace named 51-year-old Commissioner General Tito Karnavian as the sole candidate.

          President Joko Widodo's (Jokowi's) choice comes as a surprise to some people as Tito was the youngest among the candidates speculated to be nominated for the post of police chief, and he would be the country's youngest national police chief if the House of Representatives (DPR) endorses his nomination, which is most likely.

          "The nomination of Tito was a surprising move," affirmed Benny K. Harman, deputy chairman of House Commission III, which oversees legal affairs.

          "If we look at the constellation here, Tito could walk smoothly," Harman was quoted as saying by the Jakarta Globe.

          Vice Chairman of the National Police Commission (Kompolnas) Tjahjo Kumolo explained that Tito had met all requirements to be selected for the police's top job.

          "The primary requirement is a three-star. In terms of the legal and police system, the appointment is valid," Kumolo, concurrently home affairs minister, remarked on June 15.

CANDIDATES FOR POLICE TOP POST STILL A PUZZLE by Fardah

Jakarta, June 10, 2016 (Antara) - Amid suggestions that President Joko Widodo (Jokowi) should not extend the term of office of the outgoing Police Chief General Badrodin Haiti, the head of state said he had yet to decide on the matter.
         General Haiti will enter retirement period in July 2016. He was deputy police chief before being installed as police chief by President Jokowi on April 17, 2015, after the post was left vacant since January when the president dismissed the then police chief Gen. Sutarman, who was set to retire in October 2015.
        Now, a month before Haiti reaches retirement age, the president is still considering feedback from various parties on police chief candidates and the possibility of extending Haiti's term.
         The president has the prerogative to decide whether to replace General Haiti or to extend his term.
          "For sure, I will listen to feedback from the National Police (Polri), the National Police Commission (Kompolnas), and the community. Certainly, in reaching a decision, I will abide by the existing rules and laws," Jokowi stated recently.

JOKOWI UNDER PRESSURE TO APPOINT UNTAINTED POLICE CHIEF by Fardah

Jakarta, Feb 5 , 2015 (Antara) - President Joko "Jokowi" Widodo has the prerogative right to appoint a national police chief of his choice, but it becomes a polemic when his candidate is not favored by the public.

On January 12, 2015, the head of state announced the nomination of Commissioner General Budi Gunawan as the sole police chief candidate.

On the next day, however, the Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) named Budi Gunawan a suspect in an alleged corruption case.

Budi Gunawan had allegedly committed corruption when he was the head of the Bureau of Career Development at the Police Headquarters during the 2003-2006 period, KPK Chairman Abraham Samad stated.

Gunawan, who had served as a security aide to PDI-P chairwoman Megawati Soekarnoputri during her 2001-2004 presidential term, was one of the several police generals reported to have a suspiciously large bank account in 2010, but after internal investigations, the police said there was nothing illegal about the account.

On January 16, President Jokowi dismissed Police Chief General Sutarman whose tenure was due to end in October 2015. Jokowi decided to assign Commissioner General Badrodin Haiti to carry out the duties as acting National Police chief.

POLICE MAKE PROGRESS IN PROBE OVER JIS SEXUAL ASSAULT CASE by Fardah

    Jakarta, July 18, 2014 (Antara) - The Jakarta Police decision to finally detain two staffers of the Jakarta International School (JIS) in connection with a sexual assault case involving kindergarten pupils, was hailed by officials and parents.

         "We convey our appreciation to the police for tackling sexual assault cases at the JIS and other places. We see some progress," the Indonesian Commission for Child Protection (KPAI) chairman, Asrorum Niam Sholeh, remarked at the police headquarters recently.

         After grilling the two suspects identified by their initials as NB, a Canadian national, and FT, an Indonesian citizen,  and obtaining adequate evidence, the Jakarta police detained the two school staffers, who were named suspects on July 10, 2014.

INDONESIA JOINS GLOBAL ROAD SAFETY MOVEMENT TO REDUCE TRAFFIC ACCIDENTS by Fardah

     Jakarta, Jan 26, 2014 (Antara) - Driving in Jakarta is very challenging, if not very scary, for some people as the capital city's roads are mostly packed with motorcycles during peak hours.

        Some motor bikers drive carelessly and do not hesitate to break laws such as driving in the opposite direction on the roads, threatening other lives and their own lives particularly.

        The National Police's data showed that in 2012, there were 109,038 traffic accidents that claimed 25,131 lives, or 81 deaths per day, or three deaths per hour. In Jakarta, there were 5,959 traffic accidents with 616 deaths in 2013.

Profile - RI'S POLICE INVESTIGATIONS UNIT TO BE INVIGORATED BY ALIUS' APPOINTMENT By Fardah

    Jakarta, Dec 10, 2013 (Antara) - When National Police Chief General Sutarman announced his decision to appoint Suhardi Alius as the Head of the Crime Investigations Department (Bareskrim), the Presidium Chairman of Indonesia Police Watch (IPW) Neta S Pane expressed his appreciation for the move.

        Pane, who is often critical of the National Police's policies, has described the appointment of the former West Java Police Chief Inspector General Alius as a breakthrough in the promotion of young cadres from among the Police elite and for making Bareskrim a more dynamic outfit.

JUST A MATTER OF TIME BEFORE INDONESIAN POLICEWOMEN WEAR HIJABS by Fardah

Jakarta, Dec 6, 2013 (Antara) - The debate surrounding the introduction of headscarves for policewomen in Indonesia, a predominantly Muslim country, continues to rage on, with authorities denying accusations of a slow response to the issue.