Jokowi Urges National Police to Maintain Unity of Indonesia

TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - President Joko Widodo (Jokowi) has called on the Indonesian National Police (Polri) to maintain the unity and integrity of Indonesia.

"The Police must uphold the unity and integrity of Indonesia by maintaining internal solidity and acting professionally," the president remarked while acting as the inspector of a ceremony to commemorate the 71st anniversary of Polri, commonly called Bhayangkara Day, at the National Monument (Monas) Square on Monday.

On the occasion, President Jokowi revealed that several challenges are being faced by members of the Indonesian Police, such as terrorism, drug trafficking, human trafficking, weapons smuggling, and cyber crime.

Read: President Jokowi Leads National Police 71st Anniversary Ceremony

"The phenomenon of globalization, democratization, and advancement of information technology as well as the increase in transnational crimes, especially terrorism, must have affected the security situation and public order," Jokowi stated.

Furthermore, the president also urged the Police to make preparations in a bid to secure the simultaneous regional elections in 2018 and the simultaneous legislative and presidential elections in 2019.

However, President Jokowi also lauded the success of Polri in securing the just ended holy month of Ramadan and the post-fasting Eid al-Fitr, commonly known as Lebaran festivities.

"During the fasting month, the security situation and public order was very conducive, and the entire society felt safe. The Lebaran mass exodus also ran smoothly, with traffic accidents decreasing dramatically. Hence, I highly laud the hardwork of all personnel of Polri who served in both major cities and in remote areas across the country," Jokowi said.

Apart from the president, First Lady Iriana, Vice President Jusuf Kalla and his wife Mufidah, former president Megawati Soekarnoputri, former vice president Try Sutrisno, the leaders of high state institutions, and ambassadors of friendly countries were also present at the ceremony.

Read: Jokowi Calls on Vietnam to Combat Illegal Fishing

In the meantime, Police Public Relations Division Chief Inspector General Setyo Wasisto remarked that in the previous years, a similar ceremony was held at the Mobile Bridage Kelapa Dua Command Station in Depok, but this year, it is organized at the Monas area for efficiency as well as being closer to the public, so that they can witness the event.

He noted that the Bhayangkara Day anniversary usually falls on July 1, but this year it was commemorated on July 10, as the Police had been conducting the Ramadniya Operation until July 4.

"This ceremony offers a momentum to the Police to evaluate and improve the performance and programs launched by the National Police chief," Wasisto emphasized.

According to Wasisto, the 71st anniversary of the Bhayangkara Day lead by Jokowi was organized by all Polri units by involving all modern equipment.

ANTARA