President Orders National Police to Clean Up

KOMPAS/HERU SRI KUMORO

President Joko Widodo and National Police Chief General Listyo Sigit Prabowo arrive at the venue for the Presidential Briefing to the Pati Headquarters of the National Police, the Regional Police Chief, and the Indonesian Police Chief at the State Palace, Jakarta, on Friday (14/10/2022).

The Jakarta Police has named Insp. Gen. Teddy Minahasa as a suspect in an alleged drug trafficking case. In his directive to the National Police, the President ordered the National Police to improve.

JAKARTA, KOMPAS — Various incidents have tarnished the image of the Indonesian National Police, lowering public confidence. In this regard, President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo has ordered the National Police to make improvements, ranging from ending their luxurious lifestyle to processing violations committed by police personnel.

Recently, the public has been confronted with the premeditated murder of Brig. J or Nofriansyah Yosua Hutabarat, which allegedly involves the Head of the National Police's Propam Division, Ferdy Sambo, who has now been sacked, and his friends. Recently, on Friday (10/14/2022), the Jakarta Police named the former Head of the West Sumatra regional police, Insp. Gen. Teddy Minahasa, as a drug criminal suspect.

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Prior to naming Teddy a suspect, National Police chief Gen. Listyo Sigit Prabowo at the National Police Headquarters first announced that Teddy, who had been transferred to the East Java regional police, was suspected of being involved in a drug-trafficking network. The National Police chief asked that Teddy's case be thoroughly investigated, both ethically and criminally. The National Police chief also revoked Teddy's appointment as East Java Regional Police chief. He was then transferred to a high-ranking officer in the headquarters service.

KOMPAS/YOLA SASTRA

Insp. Gen. Teddy Minahasa

The National Police chief conveyed this after attending a meeting with President Jokowi at the State Palace in Jakarta on Friday afternoon. The briefing was held for the National Police chief and all regional police chiefs down to the regency level. The event was attended by 24 top officials, 33 provincial police chiefs, as well as 490 city police chiefs and regency police chiefs. Several members of the National Police Commission (Kompolnas) were also present, including Benny Mamoto and Poengky Indarti.

"We are aware that in recent times the National Police has seen a decline in public trust due to events that have a negative impact and have attracted public attention. Therefore, we carried out maximum investigations," said Listyo after a briefing at the Palace.

In the briefing, the President asked police personnel to make improvements and take firm action on what could reduce the public’s confidence in the National Police institution. This ranges from their lifestyle to violations committed by the ranks of the police. "This includes, of course, the eradication of online gambling, drugs and anything disturbing and worrying to the public," said the National Police chief.

Therefore, there is a need for cultural reform. The lifestyle of the police, especially the elite, must be more populist and modest.

Meanwhile, a member of the National Police Commission, Poengky, revealed that during the 40-minute meeting, the President asked the National Police to be sensitive to the crisis. Therefore, there is a need for cultural reform. The lifestyle of the police, especially the elite, must be more populist and modest.

The President, continued Poengky, also asked the Police to clean up internally because of the many abuses of authority, excessive violence and other problems. The public also hopes that the police will not be corrupt and not have a luxurious lifestyle.

Benny Mamoto added that the President asked the Police to increase public trust. One of the factors mentioned by the President is the case of Ferdy Sambo. "The president said not to commit violations, to serve well and quickly, including the media [must be] in a professional manner," he said.

During the briefing, middle and high-ranking police officers were prohibited from carrying batons, hats and cell phones. Aides were also not allowed to attend. They may only bring pens and notebooks.

KOMPAS/HERU SRI KUMORO

Police officials arrive around the State Palace, Jakarta, before attending the Presidential Briefing, on Friday (14/10/2022).

Head of the Presidential Secretariat, Heru Budi Hartono, explained that hats, batons and cell phones were asked not to be brought because the Palace did not have a storage area. "This will prolong the process of entering the palace," he said.

Teddy as suspect

The Director of Narcotics Investigations of the Jakarta Police, Comr. Mukti Juharsa, in a press statement on Friday at the Central Jakarta Police said that his side had arrested a number of active police officers related to narcotic crimes. One of the police officers is Insp. Gen. Teddy Minahasa.

Of the 5 kg of crystal methamphetamine, 3.3 kg of crystal methamphetamine was confiscated and 1.7 kg of methamphetamine was circulated in Kampung Bahari, North Jakarta.

Teddy's arrest is part of a series of case developments and the arrests of previous suspects. Based on the information of suspect D, who holds the rank of adjutant commissioner, who is a member of the West Sumatra Police and former Bukittinggi Police chief, received an order from Teddy to take 5 kilograms of the 41 kg of crystal methamphetamine previously confiscated in Bukittinggi. Of the 5 kg of crystal methamphetamine, 3.3 kg of crystal methamphetamine was confiscated and 1.7 kg of methamphetamine was circulated in Kampung Bahari, North Jakarta.

"Insp. Gen. TM is in charge of the evidence of 5 kg of crystal methamphetamine from West Sumatra. We are still investigating this, but according to D's statement it was an order from Mr. TM," said Mukti.

He said that this case also involved several other active police members, namely the Kalibaru Police chief, Comr. KS and a member of the Tanjung Priok Police, Adj. First Insp. J. The evidence confiscated was 305 grams of methamphetamine, which was found at the office of Comr. KS. Then, the police also arrested the suspect AD, a member of the West Jakarta Police.

KOMPAS/HERU SRI KUMORO

Police officials who attended the Presidential Briefing at the State Palace, on Friday (14/10/2022).

A member of Commission III of the House of Representatives (DPR), Ahmad Sahroni, appreciated the commitment of the National Police chief to clean up the National Police. This is because several times in meetings with Commission III of the DPR, the National Police chief has always emphasized that he will immediately sack members of the police who are proven to be involved in cases of drug abuse and gambling. (INA/CAS/NAD/DEA/ BOW/BRO/JOL/DIA/GIO)

(This article was translated by Kurniawan Siswo)