USINDO Open Forum, October 16, 2003
Brief: Indonesian National Chief of Police Da'i Bachtiar
Da'i Bachtiar
Indonesian National Chief of Police (KAPOLRI)
Washington DC
The Indonesian national chief of police, Da'i Bachtiar, presented a cautiously
optimistic assessment of police accomplishments after three turbulent years since
the police were separated from the military in 2001 and charged with maintaining
internal security. His talk to a USINDO audience on October 16 was delivered from a
prepared text in English. He fielded questions through an interpreter who
accompanied him.
He trod a thin line between the problems that confront the police and its successes,
and made no mention of an issue that is widely discussed elsewhere: its relationship
with the military.
In his talk he named the Jemaah Islamiyah as a terrorist organization whose leader is
the convicted Abu Bakar Bashir and, with members in Thailand, Singapore, Malaysia
and Philippines in addition to Indonesia, continues to operate although several top
leaders have been taken into custody.
In the question period he expressed confidence that Hambali, a top Indonesian JI
operative who is in U.S. custody, will eventually be returned to Indonesian authorities.
He painted a picture of an undermanned force that struggled to cope with the ethnic
and communal violence which erupted in the wake of the transition of power from
President Suharto and the economic hardships that followed the crisis of 1997-98.
Citing the outbreaks of violence in Maluku, Central Sulawesi, West and Central
Kalimantan, he said "it seems three years are needed to resolve these conflicts, but
we need to remain alert to anticipate further acts of revenge."
He acknowledged that the police encountered a "new element" in criminal activity with
the use of explosives, starting with church bombings that began in 1999 and 2000,
and admitted that there are difficulties in solving these cases and making the
connection between the elements that might be in common among various incidents.
The Bali bombings of October 12, 2002 caused a "deep shock," he said, because Bali
was considered to be a peaceful place. In that event more than 200 people were
killed, most of them foreigners who had gathered at a night club at Kuta Beach. He
said the police efforts, "with international help," had successfully identified 95 percent
of the victims, had insured the security and prevented conflict between the Hindu and
Muslim communities in Bali, and as a result had enabled the police to investigate and
bring to justice the perpetrators.
That investigation led to uncovering the network of terrorists belonging to the Jemaah
Islamiyah, he said. He said the investigation revealed the group has the expertise to
assemble bombs using high explosives. He acknowledged that the group is still
planning to target some places and that the police cannot prevent all attacks. He
cited the bombing of the J.W. Marriott hotel in Jakarta in August 2003 as an example.
He said the police have concluded that both bombings were carried out by the same
group. The police have arrested 10 suspects in the Marriott case, he said, with five
still at large.
He acknowledged the need to take preventive action by improving intelligence and
improving coordination with BIN (the military intelligence department) and with the
military in general.
He expressed appreciation for assistance to police from the United States, Australia,
Japan and "other states."
Timika Incident
Without referring to details that involve the military, he said that the police are taking
the Timika killings seriously and are committed to bringing the guilty to justice.
President Megawati has supported the investigation, he said, in which the police are
"working closely" with the Federal Bureau of Investigation. "We must continue the
investigation," he said, "together with the TNI. We need more evidence." (In August
2002 two American teachers and one Indonesian were killed in an ambush on a road
near Timika, Papua. The original police investigation implicated military personnel in
the attack, but under Indonesian law the military has jurisdiction over cases involving
its personnel. Since turning over the case to the military the investigation has stalled,
at least publicly, although the FBI has made three trips to Indonesia to assist in the
investigation.)
Q: Have the police had any problems in the transition after separating from the TNI?
A: The regulations and the structural relationship are in place. The police make their
own decisions under the police law of 2002 and subsequent amendments. Formerly
the police were under military law. Now they are under civilian law. Under
decentralization the police in the provinces are independent, and are directly linked
with the local populations. Ideally we need a great increase in the number of police
officers. The ratio is now one police officer per 900 population; ideally it should be one
per 300. We are aiming for a ratio of one to 750 in 2004; to reach one to 400 will need
more time. We also need longer time to change the culture from a military to a
police/civilian culture. We have asked for support and more budget from parliament,
and support from friendly states. For example, we are assisted in counter-terrorism
from the United States. As for our relationship with TNI, by parliamentary decree the
TNI must help the police in an instance of civil disturbance; in an emergency the
police will help the military. The mechanism is in place.
Q: What progress is there in getting access to Hambali?
A: We have discussed this with U.S. officials during this visit. Hambali is an
international terrorist. As a professional I understand that the U.S. needs time to
question him. But we also need to explain to the U.S. why we need access to
Hambali, because he is involved in many cases. Suspects in our custody have
admitted a connection to him. According to our law, Hambali must answer for his
actions. There is lots of evidence and many witnesses from Indonesia. We need
information on what plans have been made by Hambali so we can stop them. It is my
impression that we will have access in the end, and Hambali will be returned to
Indonesia.
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