"On behalf of the people, the nation, and the state, I convey my congratulations on the 72nd anniversary of Bhayangkara Day to every police officer and the big family of Polri in Indonesia, wherever you are assigned, from Sabang to Merauke, and fromJakarta (ANTARA News)- President Joko Widodo (Jokowi), while acting as the inspector at a ceremony to celebrate the Indonesian Police`s Bhayangkara Day on July 11, 2018, conveyed his congratulations and gratitude to the members of the National Police (Polri) for their hard work and dedication to the nation so far.
The Bhayangkara Day has been observed annually since July 1, 1946, based on a decree issued by Soekarno, Indonesia`s first president, 72 years ago.
"On behalf of the people, the nation, and the state, I convey my congratulations on the 72nd anniversary of Bhayangkara Day to every police officer and the big family of Polri in Indonesia, wherever you are assigned, from Sabang to Merauke, and from Mianggas to Rote Isle," the president stated before Vice President M Jusuf Kalla, Chief of Polri General Tito Karnavian, House Speaker Bambang Soesatyo, Chairman of the People`s Consultative Assembly (MPR) Zulkifli Hasan, as well as thousands of police officers attending the ceremony.
He also lauded the success of Polri in maintaining security during the Islamic fasting month of Ramadan; Eid Fitri; guarding travelers joining the Eid Fitri exodus; and the third regional head elections held in 171 regions last June.
The President was also proud that Indonesia has been included in the list of the top ten safest countries in the world.
"I convey my gratitude and high appreciation to Polri members who have seriously worked in hinterland regions, border and remote areas, outermost islands, and overseas under international missions," Jokowi said
He, however, reminded that there are a number of huge tasks waiting for police in the near future, such as the 2019 presidential and legislative elections, the 18th Asian Games, the third Asian Para Games, and the IMF-World Bank Annual Meetings in Bali this year.
The president reminded the police to use information technology as a precautionary and preventive measure against various crimes emerging in the current digital era.
"Polri must be ready to deal with transnational crimes, such as cyber crimes, human trafficking, drug trafficking, and arms smuggling, as well as terrorism," he remarked.
Jokowi urged the police to maintain harmony and values of diversity as well as take precautionary measures against horizontal conflicts on the pretext of race and religion.
The head of state condemned the terror attacks by suicide bombers that not only targeted the public but also police officers.
Meanwhile, General Karnavian, in his reports during the ceremony, remarked that the Police`s working programs were professional, modern, and trusted, and the public trust toward the police has significantly improved, placing the police in the third rank among the most trusted institutions in the country.
On the occasion, the president presented awards to four police officers, including one assigned in Papua, for their achievements, dedication, and significant contribution in maintaining law and order.
Meanwhile, in Papua Province, police officers have also become targets of armed separatist criminal group members or separatists.
Terror attacks by the separatist groups have become threats in Papua. Most of the incidents have happened in the mountainous areas, such as in Puncak Jaya, Puncak, and Mimika.
A total of 30 police officers had been shot dead and 57 were injured by members of the group over the last 10 years (2008-June 2018) in Indonesia`s easternmost province of Papua.
Inspector General Boy Rafli Amar, chief of the Papua Provincial Police, revealed the data in a statement on the reflection of the first semester of 2018, on July 3, 2018.
"We continue to handle the groups in accordance with the existing procedures," he remarked.
The police would never shoot the killers without following the standard of operation, he added.
"The slain police officers include two Puncak Jaya policemen, who were shot recently while guarding gubernatorial election in Torere sub-district recently," Rafli noted.
In addition to police officers, a total of 78 civilians were shot dead by separatists, and 117 others were wounded in Papua.
On June 25, 2018, a Twin Otter aircraft belonging to Trigana Air was shot by members of armed criminal group (KKB) at Kenyam airport, Nduga District, Papua Province.
The aircraft, being charted by the Police`s Mobile Brigade (Brimob), landed in Kenyam after flying from Wamena. While on its way to park, the plane was shot, and its pilot Ahmad Abdillah Kamil was injured in the back, according to Senior Commissioner Kamal, spokesman of the Papua Police.
Besides, on the same day (June 25), three civilians were shot dead and two others were injured by criminals near Kenyam Airport.
On June 22, 2018, a Twin Otter plane, owned by Demonim, was also shot while landing in Kenyam, injuring the right leg of pilot Irene Nur Farida.
(f001/INE/f001)
EDITED BY INE
(T.F001/A/KR-BSR/F001) 12-07-2018 16:47:54
Reporter: Fardah Assegaf
Editor: Fardah Assegaf
Copyright © ANTARA 2018
