Indonesian Police Separates from Defense MinistryThe Indonesian National Police has separated from the Ministry of Defense and it is now directly under the President's supervision, National Police Chief Gen. Surojo Bimantoro announced January 2.Beginning on January 1, the police is directly under the president's supervision, in accordance with a presidential decree to structure the Indonesian National Police, Bimantoro was quoted by Tuesday's Jakarta Post as saying on Monday. The status caps the two-year transition period which was initiated by the changes in the Indonesian Military, which has had its function reduced to defense only. Bimantoro also disclosed a plan to modify the police ranks terminology and insignia as part of the separation program, without saying when it will take effect. The National Police will remain a nationwide institution despite the implementation of the regional autonomy, which started on Monday, according to the police chief. "Police authority will not be delegated to provincial administration despite the inception of regional autonomy," he stressed. Under the regional autonomy regulation, the provincial and district governments will be empowered to decide on their own budget and administration, leaving foreign affairs, monetary and defense affairs as well as 40 percent of the provincial tax revenues with the central government. |
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