President Reminds No More Friction Between TNI-Polri, Observer: Leaders Must Be Firm Against Disciplinary Members

President Jokowi (DOK Secretariat)

JAKARTA - President Joko Widodo (Jokowi) asked that there be no more friction between TNI soldiers and members of the National Police. This message is considered very good to ensure the solidity of the TNI-Polri.

"Sometimes we still hear news about friction between TNI soldiers and Polri members, in the future this cannot happen again, it must end," said President Jokowi, in the front yard of the Merdeka Palace, Jakarta, Tuesday.

In response to this, political communication expert Emrus Sihombing viewed the president's statement as a very positive request from the head of state for the TNI and Polri.

"So the appeal is very positive in order to end the friction. I think it's very good," said Emrus to VOI, Tuesday, July 13.

However, from a sociological and psychological perspective, Emrus said the potential for friction still exists. As an example, the smallest social aspect is that between husband and wife there is friction. That means it is a natural thing.

"If it reaches zero, that's what we hope for. But if there are small things that don't mean anything, I think the TNI and Polri have been close all this time to resolve the matter," Emrus explained.

According to him, the friction between the TNI and Polri is more due to the presence of one individual with another. "So there is no friction between institutions, even the leadership of the TNI and Polri takes decisive action, when there are elements below them who are disciplinary," he said.

Emrus assessed that so far the police and TNI have managed the friction or misunderstanding in the glue of the relationship between these two institutions. "Because these two institutions are our state institutions that really strengthen the unity of the nation and state," he said.

"Even if there are individuals who we call unscrupulous, I think it could happen as a human being, not as an institution. Because I see that even though there is friction, it's a personal issue that is not related to the institution," continued Emrus.

He said Jokowi's request was a directive as a leader of the state to the Indonesian National Police, not a political communication message. "I don't think this is a directive, not a political message or communication," Emrus said.

"Because the relationship between these two institutions is very good, we have to be honest in appreciation. But there are one, two, three people who have friction, so it is very possible that it will happen between humans but regardless of the institution," he added.

In order to avoid friction between individuals, Emrus advised these two institutions to hold a program that requires togetherness in the first month of education at the initial level.

"So there are social conditions between them for all levels, including at the officer level, so that there is social closeness," said Emrus.