Community watch set up to protect mines

Nurni Sulaiman ,  The Jakarta Post ,  Balikpapan   |  Mon, 10/06/2008 9:56 AM  |  The Archipelago

The East Kalimantan Police have initiated a community policing system (Polmas) to oversee security at mining companies in East Kalimantan, the provincial police have said.

East Kalimantan Police chief Insp. Gen. Andi Masmiyat said the Polmas system was aimed at anticipating possible disturbances from certain parties at the mining sites.

"Mining companies are vital national assets and must be protected not only by the police or relevant agencies, but by a joint effort. To achieve that, we must forge a partnership among companies, the government, police and the community, as stakeholders," Masmiyat told The Jakarta Post recently.

The Polmas system acts as a bridge between companies and local administrations, he added. As an initial step, the provincial police have conducted public awareness campaigns in regencies throughout the province along with 20 mining companies, such as PT Kaltim Prima Coal and PT Gunung Bayan Pratama Coal.

A discussion titled "Accelerating and Optimizing Implementation of Polmas within the East Kalimantan Police Jurisdiction" was recently held at the Hotel Gran Senyiur in Balikpapan, with Sr. Comr. Banu Saputro invited to speak.

According to Banu, who is responsible for vital national assets in the oil, gas and mining sectors, Polmas is part of the community enhancement program involving the entire continuum of stakeholders, including the police, responsible for safeguarding mining sites.

"This is a good and effective way to protect vital national assets. It depends on the police to implement accurate security measures to prevent disturbances," said Banu.

Separately, Masmiyat said implementing the Polmas system was an effort to empower local residents around mining sites.

Mining companies in a particular area must be able to improve the living standards for the local population, failing which, disturbances could become a problem, he added.

"In principal, security is a basic right and everyday issues such as unemployment and poverty have the potential to lead to crime. So, through this partnership program, we hope to minimize threats," Banu added.

"We know the judicial norms prevalent in society. As long as they do not breach existing laws, they must be accommodated, and law enforcement itself must be legitimized by all stakeholders."

The police initiated the program in the wake of certain social disturbances at PT Kaltim Prima Coal and other mining companies in East Kalimantan, including clashes between police and villagers who resented the presence of the companies.

Through the program, police will train community members and traditional leaders to become involved, in addition to establishing a motivating forum for stakeholders on ways to manage joint security.

A number of regents in East Kalimantan have expressed their enthusiasm for the program.

"We support the Polmas because it empowers local communities. Vital assets are for everyone, so let's protect them together," said East Kutai Regent Awang Faroek Ishak.

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