"The idea of moving the National Police under a ministry is tantamount to reneging on the mandate of reform. This is a step backward in our constitutional system," Bintang said in a statement received
He explained that historically, the Indonesian National Police and the Indonesian National Armed Forces were once part of the same institution, namely the Indonesian Armed Forces (ABRI).
However, through the reform agenda, the two institutions were separated with clear and distinct tasks, functions and roles.
"This is the result of the long struggle of the reform movement to realize democratic and professional state security governance," he said.
According to him, placing the National Police under a ministry has the potential to open up space for political intervention in law enforcement and maintaining security.
"Reform has positioned the Indonesian National Police as an instrument of the state, not an instrument of power. This principle must be upheld together," he said.
