The Initiator Of The Independence Of The Police Expressed The Potential Abuse Of The National Police Chief In The Election

Photo: Special

JAKARTA - The UI Fisipol Teacher Sidratahta Mukhtar explained that the police system is currently very centralistic because of the command system led by the National Police Chief. He revealed that the command system could result in abuse of power in elections.

"Although the Polri constitution is subject to the law, the National Police adheres to the command system," he said during the LP3ES discussion in Jakarta, Tuesday, December 26.

He also said that the police were difficult to control because of the command and centralistic system earlier.

"Because it is led by the National Police Chief who is very strong. In Indonesia this is unique because the police adhere to the command system," he added.

The vulnerability of the police in this issue of neutrality is that it will be vulnerable to happening if there is no supervision.

"The lower the level of supervision, the higher the possibility of abuse of power," he said.

Meanwhile, the Academician of the Faculty of Law, University of Indonesia (UI) Titi Anggraini reminded the importance of security forces including the TNI/Polri to maintain neutrality in the 2024 General Election.

Titi brought up her experience in the Pilkada in 2016. At that time, the Pilkada in 10 Voting Places (TPS) of Mamberamo Raya Regency, Papua, had to be repeated because of the intervention of the authorities.

"When the authorities are not neutral, the cost is very expensive," said Titi.

At that time, police officers were proven to have intimidated the head of Fona Village to choose one of the candidates. Residents are also threatened with being shot if they do not choose one of the candidates.

"It is the Pilkada at several polling stations that must be repeated because there is involvement of the authorities in this matter, the Brimob Police are in the process of voting," said Titi.

Titi also warned of the dangers of non-neutral officers in elections that could damage the principles of democratic elections, namely free, fair, and equal elections.

"It is an arbitrary act that perpetuates/or can make continuous arbitrariness and irregularities in the future continue. Authority becomes the latent seeds for the practice of elections," he said.

Titi explained that non-neutral officials not only damaged the principles of democratic elections and gave dissatisfaction with the election process, but also had the potential to cause horizontal conflicts or collisions between supporters.

In fact, he also assessed that non-neutral officials ultimately influenced the government's performance to be ineffective because they were constantly facing the issue of legitimacy.

Therefore, Titi hopes that civil society, academics, and community groups can strengthen consolidation to report violations related to the neutrality of the apparatus.

LP3ES chairman Abdul Hamid explained the importance of neutral forces in the election. He urged all officers to understand this election to become a better Indonesia.

"If they do not contribute to presenting better elections, then he contributes to Indonesia's PLAN," said Abdul Hamid.

Hamid received information about the threat that emerged, namely 'war fraud'. If there is fraud, there will be resistance.

"This is dangerous. We must make this a danger alarm. If it becomes public awareness, the KPU and the apparatus will be a big responsibility," he said.