Mahfud MD: The Practice Of Torture Of Prisoners Must Be Abolished

JAKARTA - Coordinating Minister for Political, Legal and Security Affairs Mahfud MD emphasized that various complaints and reports from the public regarding the torture of detainees that occurred in police stations should be the attention of supervisors, including the National Police Commission (Kompolnas).

According to Mahfud, detainees, suspects, or anyone being questioned by law enforcement officers have the right not to be physically or psychologically pressured.

Therefore, Mahfud conveyed that his party was committed to abolishing the practice of torture.

“I don't think this (torture report) can be hidden. This story is widely circulated in the community and many have felt it in the past. So, now we are carrying out reforms and reducing them little by little," said Mahfud, who also serves as the Head of Kompolnas quoted by Antara, Thursday, February 10.

Mahfud said there were 115 complaints of torture and ill-treatment experienced by the public at the police station in the 2018-2020 period as recorded by the Cooperation for the Prevention of Torture (KuPP).

KuPP is a collaboration built by Komnas HAM, Komnas Perempuan, KPAI, Ombudsman RI, and LPSK.

"This issue does need legal proof, but this must also be a concern. Perhaps it does exist," said Mahfud.

Despite these difficulties, the Coordinating Minister for Political, Legal and Security Affairs said that the National Police had made improvements so that each of its members worked more professionally and accountably, including through the "Precision" spirit driven by National Police Chief Gen. Pol Listyo Sigit Prabowo.

"The activities which are tagged with Precision, which are predictive, responsible (responsible, ed), transparent and fair, are expected to change police services in a more integrated, modern, easy and precise manner," said Mahfud.

In addition, the Coordinating Minister for Politics, Law and Security also praised the spirit of the Police to continue to improve.

"I express my highest appreciation and respect to the Police who have opened themselves up and continue to try to make changes and improve performance, even though it is not easy," said Mahfud.

"I saw it under the Presisi tagline so that the Police would be better for the realization of a professional and accountable police force," he added.