... Bima case is only a tip of an iceberg and constitutes the reflection of security officers' tendency to act repressively...Jakarta (ANTARA News) - The House of Representatives (DPR)'s Commission III on legal affairs will summon National Police Chief Timur Pradopo over last Saturday's clash between security officers and demonstrators at Sape ferry port in Bima district, West Nusa Tenggara.
"Commission III will summon the police chief to ask for his explanations about the clash. The commission will question the police chief not only about the Bima case but also about other cases in Kalimantan and Papua," Commission III Chairman Benny K Harman said here on Monday.
Benny said the Bima incident was not the only police violence case the commission would raise. There were many other, bigger cases that needed to be handled seriously.
"The Bima case is only a tip of an iceberg and constitutes the reflection of security officers' tendency to act repressively. Yet repressive actions should be avoided unless security personnel are in a very difficult situation," Benny said.
He said the house commission would also evaluate the performance of the police. "If violations by police personnel are found in the field, they have to be given stern sanctions," he added.
Legislator Yahdi Abadi of the same commission asked the Commission III leadership to set up a team to investigate the cases.
"We have seen how police showed their repressive attitude by opening fire at Sape residents. Police no longer work based on the rules and their proper functions," he said.
Demonstrators and police officers clashed at Sape ferry port on Saturday, leaving two people dead. The demonstrators demanded the revocation of a mining license given to a company whose operations they said was causing damage to the environment. (A014)
Editor: Ade P Marboen
Copyright © ANTARA 2011
