The history of the separation of the National Police and ABRI: The beginning of the reform of the Indonesian Police
Jakarta (ANTARA) – In the reform era, important history was recorded in the journey of the Indonesian police institution, when the Indonesian National Police (Polri) was officially separated from the Indonesian Armed Forces (ABRI).
This separation is a historic milestone that marks efforts to increase the professionalism of the POLRI as a more independent institution in carrying out its duties as law enforcers.
The process of separating POLRI from ABRI is an important milestone in the history of Indonesian bureaucratic reform. This decision was taken to make the National Police an independent institution in carrying out its duties as a law enforcement apparatus, apart from military influence.
Before the separation, POLRI was part of the ABRI structure, which involved the police in one command with the TNI (Indonesian National Army).
However, in line with social and political dynamics, as well as public demands for a more professional, independent and transparent security system, the government has taken strategic steps to separate the two.
At that time, this step was also part of major reforms in various state sectors, especially after the New Order era. The Indonesian government, which was then led by President BJ Habibie, was committed to building a police institution that was more independent and professional, independent of military influence.
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History of formation – separation of POLRI and ABRI
The history of its formation began when President Soekarno stated that he would form ABRI consisting of a War Force and a Police Force. Based on Presidential Decree (Keppres) no. 21/1960, the title of Junior Minister of Police was abolished and replaced with the title of Minister of National Police which was under the coordination of the Armed Forces, and included in the field of national security.
On June 19 1961, the Mutual Cooperation People’s Representative Council (DPR-GR) approved the Basic Police Law no. 13/1961. In this law, the National Police is placed as part of ABRI, on a par with the Army, Navy and Air Force.
Furthermore, Presidential Decree no. 94/1962 stipulates that the Minister/Chief of Staff of the Police Force (Menkasak) is under the coordination of the Deputy First Minister in the field of defense and security, together with the Minister/KASAD, Minister/KASAL, Minister/KASAU, Minister Attorney General, and Minister of Veterans Affairs. In Presidential Decree no. 134/1962, the position of Minister of Kasak was changed to Minister/Chief of Staff of the Police Force.
Over time, the title Minister/Chief of Staff of the Police Force (Menkasak) changed to Minister/Commander of the Police Force (Menpangak). This position is directly under the responsibility of the President as Head of Government, emphasizing the important role of the National Police in the state structure.
In Presidential Decree no. 290/1964, the position, duties and responsibilities of the Indonesian National Police are regulated in detail. POLRI is designated as the state’s law enforcement tool, coordinator of the Special Police (Polsus), and plays a role in national defense. Apart from that, the National Police also has the task of fostering security and public order (Kamtibmas), carrying out a work role, and acting as a tool of revolution.
According to Presidential Decree no. 155/1965 issued on July 6 1965, the Military Academy and Police Academy (AKABRI) education was equalized between the Armed Forces and the Indonesian National Police, which was carried out for one year in Magelang.
In the period 1964 to 1965, the PKI’s influence grew along with President Soekarno’s NASAKOM political policy, which resulted in the PKI succeeding in influencing some ABRI members from the four forces.
New Order Period
The New Order period began after the G30S/PKI incident which showed a lack of integration between ABRI elements. To strengthen this integration, in 1967, President Soekarno issued Decree No. 132/1967 which stipulates the Organizational Principles and Procedures for the Defense and Security Sector.
In this policy, ABRI is made part of the Defense and Security Department organization, which includes the Indonesian Army, Navy, Air Force and AK, with each led by a Force Commander who is responsible to the Minister of Defense and Security.
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After Suharto was elected President in 1968, the position of Minister of Defense/Commander of Defense was given to General M. Panggabean. However, tight integration between ABRI and POLRI actually complicates the development of the National Police, which is basically not a military force.
In 1969, Presidential Decree no. 52/1969 changed the title of Commander of the Police Force to Chief of the Indonesian National Police (Kapolri), in accordance with Law no. 13/1961. This change officially took effect on 1 July 1969. In addition, on the anniversary of the Armed Forces on 5 October 1969, the title of Commander of the Army, Navy and Air Force was changed to Chief of Staff of the Force.
Reform Period (Separation of POLRI and ABRI)
Since the implementation of the 1998 reforms, the New Order government fell and was replaced by the Reform government under President BJ Habibie. One of the big demands of society at that time was the separation of POLRI from ABRI, with the hope that Polri would become a professional, independent institution and free from interference in law enforcement.
On October 5 1998, the debate about separating POLRI from ABRI became stronger. President Habibie then responded by issuing Presidential Instruction No. 2 of 1999 which stated the separation of POLRI from ABRI.
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The separation ceremony was held on April 1 1999 at ABRI Headquarters Cilangkap, East Jakarta, which was marked by the handing over of the POLRI Tribata Banner from the ABRI Chief of General Staff to the National Police Chief, General Roesmanhadi.
Since then, POLRI has been under the Ministry of Defense (Dephankam). One year later, TAP MPR no. VI/2000 and MPR Decree no. VII/MPR/2000 stipulates the independence of the POLRI under the President, as well as regulating bureaucratic reform to make it more professional and useful.
The separation of POLRI and ABRI or now known as the Indonesian National Army (TNI) was further strengthened through amendments to the 1945 Constitution and the ratification of Law no. 2 of 2002 concerning the Police of the Republic of Indonesia.
UU no. 2/2002 regulates major changes, including the Chief of Police who is directly responsible to the President, the appointment of the Chief of Police who requires approval from the DPR, the formation of a National Police Commission, as well as a ban on POLRI being involved in practical politics. In addition, the National Police was demilitarized, changing it from a military institution to a professional law enforcement civilian institution, with an emphasis on human rights.
Apart from that, various new institutions were formed during the reform period to support law enforcement, such as the Corruption Eradication Committee (KPK) (2002), BNN (2009), BNPT (2010), and Bakamla (2014). POLRI coordinates with these institutions in carrying out its duties, with active POLRI officers also serving in these institutions.
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Reporter: M. Hilal Eka Saputra Harahap
Editor: Suryanto
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