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Police, TNI deny rift as personnel clash amid ongoing protests
At least three clashes between police and military personnel have occurred in the past few days: one in Medan, North Sumatra, and two in Jakarta.
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Coordinating Political, Legal and Security Minister Wiranto (center) speaks at a press conference in his office in Jakarta on Thursday, accompanied by the National Police chief Gen. Tito Karnavian (right) and the Indonesian Military (TNI) commander Air Chief Marshal Hadi Tjahjanto (left). (Antara/M. Risyal Hidayat)
T
he leaders of the National Police and the Indonesian Military (TNI) have dismissed speculation about divisions between the two security forces amid reports of clashes between police and military personnel during the ongoing protests that have gripped the country.
"There has been a lot of talk that the TNI and the police don't get along," Coordinating Political, Legal and Security Affairs Minister Wiranto said at a press conference on Thursday. "That is not true, the TNI and police have the same spirit, the spirit of defending the country."
National Police chief Gen. Tito Karnavian and TNI commander Air Chief Marshal Hadi Tjahjanto, who were also present at the press conference, echoed Wiranto's comments.
"As I said, the TNI supports and helps the National Police in their security and public order duties," Hadi said. "There is no problem between the TNI and the police regarding security assignments in critical locations and we continue to give security support to the police according to the prevailing standards of procedure and regulations."
The statements came in the wake of at least three clashes between personnel of the two forces that have occurred in the past few days: one in Medan, North Sumatra, and two in Jakarta.
On Tuesday, hundreds of students who were protesting in front of the North Sumatra Regional Legislative Council (DPRD) building ran to the nearby Medan Military Command (Kodim) headquarters to seek sanctuary after clashing with police.
Police then fired tear gas and sprayed water cannons at the Kodim building, soaking some TNI personnel in the process. Videos circulating on social media showed dripping wet soldiers angrily shouting at the police, but physical clashes were avoided after police withdrew their forces.
