TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Indonesian National Police issued Secret Telegram No. KS/BP-211/XII/2016/DIVPROPAM on December 14, 2016, which was signed by the Head of Police’s Internal Affairs Division (Propam) Gen. Insp. Idham Aziz. The letter said that any legal proceeding involving a search and seizure in the Police Headquarter done by the Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK), Judiciary, and Courts would need Police Chief or Propam Head’s permission.
Police Chief Gen. Tito Karnavian said the telegram was issued toward the police's internal office. He explained about the telegram issue to Tempo journalist Diananta P. Sumedi on Friday, December 23, 2016.
What has based the issuance of the secret telegram?
The telegram is issued for the police's internal organization. The police members are not independent individuals; they are part of the National Police organization. If one member made a mistake, it will affect the whole image of the institution. Due to the reason, any police member who has a legal problem; either he/she is summoned, arrested, or be searched, must file a report to the supervisor.
What is the aim of issuing the telegram?
It is for them to know what they should do. So, we can understand the reason once the search is done since it will affect the institution. And, do not forget that police is an institution that has many secret files include suspect and witness’ case files, as well as minutes of suspects. So, if a member was asked for an examination of Document A, for example, he/she will not instead provide Document B, C, D, E, or any other files considered as secret files and protected under the laws.
Does that mean that other institutions should ask Police Chief’s permission before conducting a search on police member?
No, not asking a permission; this is a shared task between the internal and its superiors. This is to respect the ethics in the organization. An institution that intends to do a legal proceeding must file a report to the head of the organization to show a good ethics.
