DISCLOSURES OF POLICE CASE BROKERS DEEMED POSITIVE

By Andi Abdussalam

Jakarta, March 23 (ANTARA) - The daring statements by former police chief detective Susno Duadji that two police brigadier generals had acted as  case brokers in money laundering and tax evasion cases are seen by some civil society quarters as good public communications and a positive contribution to the creation of a  transparent police force.          "In the eyes of high ranking police officers, Susno's move to reveal alleged case brokers in the police institution is inappropriate and infuriating but we need people like him to uncover irregularities in the police force," communications expert Ade Armando of the University of Indonesia (UI) said.           What was disclosed by Susno was a positive aspect of democracy in a transparent society. If Susno had discussed the matter internally with the police leadership it would never have been  revealed to the public.          "Here democracy shows its virtue. Once a case is disclosed, a chain of reactions will follow. Because Susno felt offended by what was done to him by other high ranking police officers, now  he talks to the media," the communications expert said.           That is why, in this case, politeness in communications  is no longer important because what is important is to provide information to the public, according to Ade Armando.          Susno  made headlines with his claims that three high-raking National Police officials accepted Rp25 billion to drop an investigation into a tax evasion case.          In his previous statements, Susno mentioned the initials of two brigadier generals, namely R.E. and E.I. and several middle-ranking officials, who he said had acted  as case brokers in money laundering and tax evasion cases.          Susno told the media that last year, while he was serving as the chief detective, his division was investigating a report about an account that had suddenly received a Rp25 billion deposit.          However, in November 2009 before the investigations were completed, Susno was dismissed from his position for his alleged role in the framing of two anti-corruption body officials.          He was later informed that the investigation had been stopped after which  he also discovered that police had tampered with the investigation and stolen some of the money.          Police Spokesman Insp. General Edward Aritonang said police had to take legal steps against Susno who claimed that there were case brokers at the Police Headquarters, generals taking bribes and operating as a judicial mafia.          He said  Susono's claims had tarnished the image of the police as an institution.          However, Ade Armando said that what had been disclosed by Susno would had a positive impact on the administration or the running of institutions in Indonesia.          "This (disclosure) could happen to anyone and if it becomes a trend setter we  would have natural public deterrent against the inclination to commit corruption in public office," he said.          In this case, the media plays a significant role and serves as a channel for a transparent society so that those who have committed corruption would never feel secure because their crimes could be uncovered any time.          But other experts said that Susono had made the disclosure as an expression of his hard feeling towards his dismissal as the chief detective, as well as an effort to improve his image that had been tarnished with his alleged role in the framing of two deputies of the Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK).           UI's criminologist Andrianus Meliala said Susno was trying to improve his image so that the people would consider him clean. He came up to show that he was clean at a time when the police institution was alleged as not being free from a legal case mafia.           "With the clean image, Susno hopes he would get something from the people," Meliala said adding that the former chief detective was also trying to leave the impression that he was a general who was being sidelined by their colleagues. By leaving such an impression he could win people's sympathy.         "He was trying to convince the public that he was discharged as chief detective while he was not guilty" the UI criminologist said.       UI's professor of psychology  Hamdi Muluk said Susno had disclosed the alleged case brokers at the police institution because his feeling was hurt and he could not accept the sanction taken against him.          "Susno was hurt and he rejected the treatment taken against him," Hamdi said. He said that he was hurt after a series of actions taken against him, including his discharge as the chief of the Police Criminal Investigation Department (Bareskrim).          After all, in Susono's perspective, suspension should not only be taken against him alone but also against other high ranking officers who he considered should also receive the same treatment.          "Susno in his perspective was treated unfairly," said Hamdi.          Apart from what Susno's motives are in disclosing the alleged case brokers at the police institution, the National Police should investigate the case.          Andrianus Meliala said that Susno's statements had posed difficulties to the police leadership. The police institution has take an attitude to respond to the statement.          The Bareskrim should investigate the allegation of case brokers in the police institution.          "If the Bareskrim is unable to investigate the allegation, the President's Anti-Judicial Mafia Task Force may ask the KPK to investigate it," the UI criminologist said.      (T.A014/A/HAJM/18:40/a014) (T.A014/A/A014/A/A014) 23-03-2010 18:51