SBY orders police to keep the peace in the run up to the elections

Desy Nurhayati and Andra Wisnu ,  The Jakarta Post ,  Jakarta   |  Wed, 07/02/2008 10:53 AM  |  National

President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono has ordered the police to maintain national security in the run up to the 2009 elections, particularly during the long campaign period.

The President warned that political activities during the election campaign, which starts next Tuesday, could turn into lawlessness.

"We will hold the legislative and presidential elections next year, and the campaign for the legislative election will start this month. Therefore, I instruct the police to get ready to maintain security across the country during the election process," Yudhoyono said Tuesday in his speech to mark the 62nd anniversary of the National Police.

"I expect the police to stand at the forefront in preventing disobedience of the law, as well as in keeping campaign activities and the voting days safe. Take the 2004 election as a lesson, so the police can be more prepared."

The President emphasized the need for the police to remain professional and neutral during the elections.

The 2004 presidential election was marked by an alleged breach of police neutrality. The police chief in Banyumas, Central Java, was dismissed for showing a preference for the incumbent, Megawati Soekarnoputri.

The National Police has prohibited its personnel from exercising their right to vote, on the grounds it could endanger national security. Some experts have suggested that members of the police should vote, following the 2000 constitutional amendment that separated the police from the Indonesian Military.

The General Elections Commission has announced the election campaign will run for nine months from July 8, 2008, to April 1, 2009.

National Police chief Gen. Sutanto said the police were ready to safeguard campaign activities and maintain neutrality, and that the police had undergone training to secure the election process.

"Neutrality is very important to the police. It's part of every member of the police force. Working for a certain political interest would be harmful to our work and tarnish our image," Sutanto said.

He called on the public to refrain from being provoked by certain groups and to report any police officers that break the law to the authorities.

"The police will investigate anyone caught spreading false rumors or creating situations that could lead to lawlessness ... even if they are among our own ranks," he said.

Yudhoyono also praised the police for enforcing the law, maintaining security and public order and protecting and serving the public, which are their main duties.

"I'm aware that your sacrifices and hard work are not appreciated, but that is not something you should worry about. Just accept fair criticism from the public because criticism is important for improving your performance," the President said.

He urged the police to maintain their performance when tackling crime, whether it be street crime, white-collar crime, illegal logging or transnational crimes such as terrorism and drug trafficking.

Sutanto said he had asked the House of Representatives to increase police salaries in a bid to improve professionalism.

"The minimum pay for a low-ranked police officer should be Rp 8.5 million (US$917.8) per month," he said.

The most junior police officers currently earn Rp 2 million per month.

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