"The only way to ensure the police will recover is through internal consolidation. Remove all internal frictions," Mahfud stated after attending the 65th Dies Natalis of Diponegoro University here Saturday.
In spite of existing differences, the police must unite for achieving a singular goal to recover and face the future as a better institution.
"That is to make the Police a better institution because failure to do so will mean more difficulties (for them)," he noted.
The coordinating minister highlighted that the latest arrest of the recently appointed East Java Police chief, Inspector General Teddy Minahasa, in drug-related charges, proved that the Police must take additional efforts to improve and reform the institution.
"The police must understand that considering the massive scale and reach of social media, they could no longer hide any information. They could no longer commit something and hide," Mahfud remarked.
Related news: West Jakarta: Police intensify anti-drug campaigns in schools
Earlier, Police Chief General Listyo Sigit Prabowo said that Minahasa was suspected of being involved in drug-related crimes investigated by the Jakarta Police.
President Joko Widodo, on Friday (October 14), also summoned 559 high-ranking police officers, including principal officers at the Police Headquarters and regional police chiefs from across the country to the State Palace.
The president decided to summon the high-ranking police officers following several incidents involving police personnel that shook public trust in police, including the alleged premeditated murder of Brigadier Yosua Hutabarat by Inspector General Ferdy Sambo, who was later dishonorably discharged from the police force.
The police were also in the spotlight after the Kanjuruhan Stadium tragedy in Malang District, East Java, which claimed 132 lives. The police named six suspects in the incident, including three high-ranking police officers.
Related news: National police's Propam asked to question Insp.Gen. Minahasa
Translator: Immanuel CS, Nabil Ihsan
Editor: Rahmad Nasution
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