Indonesian police proposed not under president's authority

JAKARTA, Nov. 3 (Xinhua) -- Din Syamsuddin, chairman of Muhammadiyah, the second largest religious organization in Indonesia, said on Tuesday he had proposed that Indonesian police should not be put under president's authority in order to guarantee the organization's freedom in investigating and solving legal issues.

"Indeed, it's hard to put Indonesian police beyond president's authority. But maybe the police could be under an institution that is elected by people, like the parliament," said Din.

He said that it is easier for police to be free in investigating legal issues if it was not under presidential authority, so it is free from conflict of interest.

Din commented on Indonesia's hottest political issue recently on detention of two officials at the Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) by police on accusation of taking bribe and misusing authority.

The detention of the officials, named Bibit Samad Rianto and Chandra M Hamzah, draws criticism from many parties when Indonesia vows to battle corruption. However, the two officials received massive support from government officials, members of parliament, public figures and people. They criticized the government of bringing the issue on the political area.

Following the incident, President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono formed a fact finding team chaired by a prominent lawyer named Adnan Buyung Nasution to investigate whether the two KPK's officials guilty or innocent.

"This is the right time to reposition Indonesian police so they could work free from intervention, so that they could work objectively," said Din.

According to Din, it needs a political will to resolve the issue.

Din also criticized the forming of the fact finding team that according to him was too late.

"If the president established the team immediately after the case emerged, I am sure it would not be prolonged and draws big criticism," said Din.