Law Enforcement Persons Enter Drug Network, DPR Encourages Quality Reform Of Police HR

Former Head of Drugs at the South Lampung Police AKP Andri Gustami (AG) during the inaugural trial at the Tanjungkarang District Court. Bandarlampung, Monday, (23/10/2023). (ANTARA)

Commission III regrets that there are still law enforcement officers involved in drug trafficking in the country. The commission in charge of legal affairs also urges stricter internal supervision.

"Effective surveillance system needs to be implemented to monitor the performance of police officers and ASN to identify potential abuse of power or ethical violations," said member of Commission III of the DPR RI, Didik Mukrianto, Wednesday, October 25.

There are a number of cases involving police officers into a drug network where it was recently revealed that a police officer named AKP Andri Gustami was dragged into the case of an international network drug kingpin, Fredy Pratama. The former Head of Drugs at the South Lampung Police became a special courier for the Fredy Pratama network in charge of passing drugs at Bakauheni Port, South Lampung.

In a trial at the Tanjung Karang District Court, AKP Andri Gustami is known to have passed 8 drug shipments with a total of 150 kilograms. Andri is also known to have offered to join the Fredy Pratama network convincingly that he can pass the delivery of methamphetamine.

Didik assessed that the AKP Andri case was a strong warning for the police to further increase supervision of all staff. Moreover, the case was revealed not long after the case of Inspector General Teddy Minahasa who was arrested for controlling 5 kg of methamphetamine sales.

"Not a few we have found cases involving police officers who are perpetrators of drug trafficking. How has the implementation of internal supervision and coaching of Polri members been? Is it just fulfilling the formality or is it carried out seriously and wholeheartedly? I think there needs to be reformulation on the performance system, supervision and development of human resources for our police members," said Didik.

"Most likely something went wrong, law enforcement institutions should stop drug trafficking, instead there are still okum who enjoy the proceeds of these crimes?" he continued.

According to Didik, the number of cases of police officers involved in drug trafficking is a big job for the Police. He considered that increasing internal supervision alone was not enough to stop this phenomenon.

"There are quite a lot of big cases, especially small cases that are not highlighted. So I say, reformulating cultural reforms in order to improve the integrity, moral, mental and performance of Polri personnel is very necessary. And cases like this are very tarnishing the police institution," said Didik.

The legislator from the East Java IX electoral district also emphasized the importance of evaluating police personnel on an ongoing basis. Didik said that the evaluation for Polri personnel was not only a matter of drug-freeness, but also how their daily activities were outside their duties as members of the National Police.

"This part is very important and significant. Because looking at the case of AKP Andri, the person concerned even offered to be included in the drug kingpin network," he said.

On the other hand, Didik supports the police's firm steps that do not indiscriminately affect its members who are involved in drug networks. Just like Teddy Minahasa, AKP Andri was sentenced to Disrespectfully Dismissal (PTDH) from the Police.

"It is undeniable that the National Police will also continue to improve themselves by taking firm action against its members who are involved in drug networks. This proves that the National Police Chief, General Listyo Sigit Prabowo, is indiscriminate with anyone affiliated with the drug network, even though his own men," he said.

Apart from the National Police, Didik highlighted drug trafficking in other state institutions. As has just happened in Sibolga, North Sumatra, where a State Civil Apparatus (ASN) with the initials HST was arrested for possession of methamphetamine and marijuana. Employees within the Sibogla City Government have been targeted by the police in drug cases.

"Drug trafficking has occurred everywhere, even within government agencies. The abuse of narcotics that shows that ASN must be thoroughly investigated and taken firmly as a deterrent effect so that all state servants do not mess with drug matters, no matter how small," said Didik.

"It must be remembered, ASN has the task of serving the community. All its actions must comply with norms and laws because ASN must set an example for the people," added the member of the Banggar DPR RI.

Furthermore, Didik mentioned the drug trafficking which also involved many unscrupulous prison officers (Lapas). Most recently, an officer of the Cipinang Class I Prison with the initials AF was arrested in a drug possession case. Even from the statement from the East Jakarta Metro Police, the prison officer involved an inmate while carrying out his illicit practices.

"We also find many officers in prisons playing a role as drug networks. Whether it's couriers or those who pass drugs in or out of prisons. This is also still a scourge in our country which until now has not been overcome," said Didik

Therefore, Didik hopes that there will be strict internal supervision in all state agencies. The leadership of each institution is also asked by Didik not to neglect supervising his subordinates, and must dare to act decisively to stop drug trafficking.

"In the future, we in the DPR hope that no more public servants will be involved in the use or spread of drugs. This is for the good name of Indonesia and the safety of the next generation of the nation," he concluded.