President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono praised the National Police's capability in safeguarding the recent legislative elections, saying the police had managed to create conducive atmosphere enabling people to vote.
"I deeply thank the National Police for its role in creating a conducive atmosphere during the legislative election," Yudhoyono said in a speech Wednesday delivered before 5,000 officers to commemorate the National Police's 63th anniversary, held at its headquarters.
Also attending the ceremony were Vice President Jusuf Kalla, Coordinating Minister for Political, Legal and Security Affairs Widodo AS and the Indonesian Military (TNI) chief Gen. Djoko Santoso.
Yudhoyono also expected the police to tighten ties with the people to enable the anticipation of potential disruption without using excessive force, especially during the general election session.
"I strongly suggest that field officers use more persuasive ways in tackling cases.
"Don't use unnecessary force except if the field officers see that national security is under serious threat."
The president did not mention the need for the police to be neutral during the election session while delivering his speech at the National Police' anniversary celebration.
Recently, the police were heavily criticized for their decision to halt the investigation of several alleged election violations filed by the General Elections Supervisory Body (Bawaslu).
Commenting on this, the National Police Commission member, Novel Ali, said he supported the police's decision to halt the investigations because investigators could not find evidence that might lead them to further investigate the case.
"Thus as long as the police stand on the right track, meaning they have no reason to continue the investigation because of a lack of evidence, then that should be all right," he told The Jakarta Post.
The National Police chief of detectives Comr. Gen. Susno Duadji said Tuesday he had ordered his subordinates to halt the investigations toward the allegation that several commissioners of state-owned companies were illegally involved in campaign teams belonging to presidential hopefuls.
He said the decision to halt the investigation was made because the police could not find enough evidence that would prove the commissioners' involvement during the campaign.
Bambang Eka Cahya Widodo from Bawaslu said it should have been the police's duty to seek further evidence so they could prove the commissioners' illegal involvement in the campaign.
"Don't ask us to seek for further evidence as we are not allowed investigate the cases," he recently said.
"We are only allowed to receive reports from the people and then make a necessary assessment whether the reports are true or not."
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