Corruption spurred police to commit rights abuses: NGOs
A string of recent alleged human rights abuses committed by police officers in the country is a reflection of the force’s failure to free itself from corruption, activists said Tuesday.
“When the police and big companies collude, policemen can be used to protect the companies’ interests, even when this disadvantages civilians,” said Erwin Usman of the Indonesian Environmental Forum, also known as Walhi.
“Most incidents that occurred in Sumatra, Sulawesi and Kalimantan, for example, involved plantation, logging and mining companies,” Erwin added.
The activists cited as an example an incident in which hundreds of Mobile Brigade officers and palm oil farmers in Kuantan Senggigi, Riau, clashed with police early this month.
Yusniar, a 45-year-old mother and palm oil farmer, was shot to death by police officers in the incident, while Disman, another farmer, was still in critical condition after being shot.
The police have said they are still investigating the incident.
Erwin cited other killings allegedly committed by police officers in Ogan Komering Ilir in South Sumatra, Buton in Southeast Sulawesi, and Banggai in Central Sulawesi.
“The stories were similar: The police helped the companies handle local civilians who they thought were hampering their businesses,” Erwin said.
According to data collected by Walhi, 84 people have fallen victim to police discrimination and violence in the country since January 2010.
Indria Fernida, the deputy coordinator of the National Commission for Missing Persons and Victims of Violence, said low pay in the police force was also a factor encouraging corruption. “Indeed, the small budget allocated for the police has been a factor triggering corruption in the force.”
“However, money is not everything. The money can be raised but the corruption may remain if the police officers don’t [improve] their morality and integrity,” she said.
Corruption spurred police to commit rights abuses: NGOs
A string of recent alleged human rights abuses committed by police officers in the country is a reflection of the force’s failure to free itself from corruption, activists said Tuesday.
“When the police and big companies collude, policemen can be used to protect the companies’ interests, even when this disadvantages civilians,” said Erwin Usman of the Indonesian Environmental Forum, also known as Walhi.
“Most incidents that occurred in Sumatra, Sulawesi and Kalimantan, for example, involved plantation, logging and mining companies,” Erwin added.
The activists cited as an example an incident in which hundreds of Mobile Brigade officers and palm oil farmers in Kuantan Senggigi, Riau, clashed with police early this month.
Yusniar, a 45-year-old mother and palm oil farmer, was shot to death by police officers in the incident, while Disman, another farmer, was still in critical condition after being shot.
The police have said they are still investigating the incident.
Erwin cited other killings allegedly committed by police officers in Ogan Komering Ilir in South Sumatra, Buton in Southeast Sulawesi, and Banggai in Central Sulawesi.
“The stories were similar: The police helped the companies handle local civilians who they thought were hampering their businesses,” Erwin said.
According to data collected by Walhi, 84 people have fallen victim to police discrimination and violence in the country since January 2010.
Indria Fernida, the deputy coordinator of the National Commission for Missing Persons and Victims of Violence, said low pay in the police force was also a factor encouraging corruption. “Indeed, the small budget allocated for the police has been a factor triggering corruption in the force.”
“However, money is not everything. The money can be raised but the corruption may remain if the police officers don’t [improve] their morality and integrity,” she said.