Idham also needs to prepare a blueprint for future policies of the National Police to ensure continuous improvements.
By
LAKSANA AGUNG SAPUTRA / MUHAMMAD IKHSAN MAHAR
·4 minutes read
JAKARTA, KOMPAS — During his term of service, which will last around 14 months, National Police chief Gen. (Pol) Idham Azis will face formidable challenges to improve police services to the public, as well as resolve cases that are closely monitored by the public. At the same time, Idham also needs to prepare a blueprint for future policies of the National Police to ensure continuous improvements.
Idham was sworn in as National Police chief by President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo at the State Palace, Central Jakarta, on Friday (1/11/2019). He replaces Gen. (Ret. Pol) Tito Karnavian. After the inauguration, Idham, who previously served as head of the National Police\'s Criminal Investigation Department (Bareskrim), was promoted from commissioner general to general. He will be the National Police chief for 14 months. At the end of January 2021, Idham will enter retirement.
Idham also needs to prepare a blueprint for future policies of the National Police to ensure continuous improvements.
Idham leads the National Police amid public satisfaction with the institution, which has not been popular among the public. The National Leadership Survey conducted by Kompas Research and Development division in October 2019 showed that 66.8 percent of respondents rated the National Police’s performance as “good”. The survey involved 1,200 respondents in 34 provinces with a margin of error of 2.83 percent. However, the percentage was lower than a similar survey conducted in October 2018, when 72 percent of respondents showed their approval.
Work program
After being appointed as National Police chief, Idham said President Jokowi advised him to work, work and work.
"With regard to my programs, I explained them in the confirmation hearing [at the House Commission III on Wednesday]. I will quickly execute them after the handover of the position on Nov. 6," he said.
During Idham’s confirmation hearing at the House of Representatives, he detailed seven priority programs, namely improving human resources, making institutional arrangements, strengthening security and public order, upholding professional and fair law enforcement, strengthening supervision, strengthening police synergy and improving media management. The programs are not much different from Tito’s.
According to Indonesian Police Strategic Studies Institute executive director Edi Hasibuan, there are three main challenges that Idham must focus on, namely strengthening human resources, upholding equitable law enforcement and strengthening internal supervision.
Idham must focus on, strengthening human resources, upholding equitable law enforcement and strengthening internal supervision.
The three challenges are closely related to the steps taken by the National Police in responding to public expectations.
"The public wants real police work and a National Police presence that is felt directly in the community," Edi said.
Meanwhile, the Center for Political and Security Studies chairman at Padjadjaran University, Muradi, pointed out that besides continuing Tito’s unfinished programs, Idham needs to prepare a blueprint for the National Police’s future policies.
This would enable the next National Police chief to immediately implement the new policies without being overloaded with unfinished homework.
Novel’s case
Muradi added that Idham must be able to resolve cases that attract the public\'s attention, for example, the acid attack on Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) investigator Novel Baswedan.
Regarding Novel’s case, President Jokowi gave Idham a month to complete his investigation.
"I have talk about it with the new National Police chief [after the inauguration]. I gave him until early December," said the President.
Separately, National Police public relations chief Insp. Gen. Mohammad Iqbal said Idham would soon appoint a new Bareskrim chief and order him to resolve the case.
President Jokowi gave Idham a month to complete his investigation.
Iqbal also explained that the technical team continued to investigate the case.
"There are very significant things, please underline, very significant things that we have got," said Iqbal.
After being inaugurated, Idham visited Indonesian Military (TNI) commander Air Chief Marshal Hadi Tjahjanto at the TNI Commander\'s office in Jakarta. Iqbal said the visit showed a strong commitment by the National Police chief to coordinating and communicating with the TNI.