President Jokowi: Terrorism and radicalism are still serious challenges
Terrorism and radicalism remain significant challenges for Indonesian National Police to face in order to secure and preserve Indonesia, President Joko Widodo (Jokowi) noted.
“I need to emphasize that terrorism and radicalism have the potential to be a serious challenge, as well as the development of information technology that supports cyber crime,” Jokowi remarked during a ceremony to commemorate the 73rd anniversary of Indonesian National Police or Bhayangkara Day.
“Spreading hoaxes and hate speeches also pose a threat to our nation’s unity,” he added.
To solve these challenges, national police should remain professional, accountable and cooperative with other institutions, Jokowi said.
“It requires the police’s intelligence and agility aspect. Transnational crime, such as illegal drug trade, and human trafficking should be dealt in a professional way; so do corruption, illegal fishing, illegal logging. All of those things must be eradicated for the sake of our people and country,” he said.
For the past two years, Indonesia has had a huge agenda of activities, according to the president.
He spoke about simultaneous regional elections, becoming the host of Asian Games, Asian Para Games, and 2018 IMF-World Bank ‘annual meeting’. This year, Indonesia held elections concurrently for eight months. Everything went safely, smoothly and successfully, thanks to the national police, who cooperated with the Indonesian National Military.
In addition, the citizens were secure and steady during Ramadhan, homebound travel, Eid el-Fitr, and that should be maintained until Christmas, Jokowi believed.
“Once again, a big thanks to the national police and military cooperation for the agility in handling the disasters amid tough challenges. But we must not be complacent,” he noted.
Regarding the complex challenges in the future, police should be suspicious of all forms of crime, Jokowi urged.
“We must pay attention to conventional crime that keeps burdening our people. Do not let transnational crime, such as terrorism, illegal drug trade, human trafficking and cybercrime occur in our country,” he stated.
The police needs to anticipate other forms of crime including social conflicts, such as mass riots and anarchic demonstration as well, Jokowi said.
“And other crimes against national wealth, such as illegal fishing, illegal logging, and corruption must be prevented and eradicated. In order to carry out their duties, police must keep improving their accountability and transparency,” Jokowi added.
He also appreciated the achievement of unqualified opinion (WTP) from the Indonesian Audit Board (BPK) for national police.
“I truly appreciate that the index of police’s bureaucratic reform has increased, many integrity zones have been built, and the citizen’s level of trust on the police has increased as well. But those are not enough, for we must face challenges that are more complex. Hence, the police’s professionalism and performance must be improved,” he noted.
The ceremony of Bhayangkara Day was also attended by Indonesia’s First Lady Iriana Joko Widodo, Vice President Jusuf Kalla and his wife Mufidah Kalla, Chief of National Police General Tito Karnavian, Indonesian Military Commander Marshals Hadi Tjahjanto and his wife, Vice President-elect Ma’ruf Amin and his wife.
The peak of celebrations of 73rd Bhayangkara Day was held on July 10, 2019 even though it falls on July 1, due to the police’s duty of securing the 2019 election.
The commemoration involved almost 4000 personnel, four regiments, and 13 battalions and a community component, that performed the marching band, parade, and skydiving, to name a few.
Source: Antara News
