EAST NUSA TENGGARA: POLICE FOCUS ON TRANS-NATIONAL

C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 JAKARTA 000451 SIPDIS SIPDIS AMCONSUL SURABAYA 0002 DEPT FOR EAP, EAP/MTS, S/CT, INL E.O. 12958: DECL: 03/05/2018 TAGS: PREL ASEC PHUM KWMN SMIG KIRF KISL PGOV PTER ID SUBJECT: EAST NUSA TENGGARA: POLICE FOCUS ON TRANS-NATIONAL CRIME AND COOPERATION WITH TNI REF: A. SURABAYA 16 ¶B. 07 SURABAYA 55 JAKARTA 00000451 001.2 OF 002 Classified By: Surabaya Principal Officer Caryn R. McClelland, reason 1 .4 (b and d). ¶1. (C) Summary: While West Timor and the other islands that make up the province of East Nusa Tenggara (NTT) grapple with wide-spread poverty, thousands of refugees from neighboring Timor Leste, and limited attention from the central government, the security situation and police performance are positive developments cited by both local officials and activists. They praised the efforts of the Provincial Chief of Police to promote human rights awareness and increase cooperation with the Indonesian Armed Forces (TNI). Residents and officials on the island of Flores, however, expressed concern about TNI plans to establish a Sub-Regency Military Command (Korem) on Flores, arguing that there was no security reason to justify the increased military presence. NTT police officials emphasized the importance of cooperation and assistance with the Australian Police Force (APF) to improve capabilities and training, particularly against trans-national crime threats. Border with Timor Leste Calm -------------- ¶2. (C) During a February 28-29 visit to Kupang, West Timor, and Maumere, Flores, in the province of NTT, Surabaya Principal Officer, Pol/Econ Assistant, and Embassy Army Attache met with local government officials, members of the police and TNI, and activists to discuss recent developments in the province and the impact of recent violence in neighboring Timor Leste. An estimated 20-40,000 refugees are living in West Timor, but NTT officials reported no new influx following recent violence in Dili. Brig Gen R B. Sadarum, NTT,s Chief of Police (Kapolda) described the border as "safe and quiet." NTT,s Vice Governor Frans Lebu Raya said that the NTT government had formally requested that Jakarta lift the "alert status" in NTT, especially in the border areas. Continuing alert status was preventing potential tourists and businessmen from visiting NTT and providing a much needed economic boost. ¶3. (C) The Kapolda said that NTT police forces patrolled the border with Timor Leste in coordination of TNI forces, based on their respective authorities. He explained, for example, that the police handled law enforcement issues, including detaining persons who crossed the border without proper documentation or smugglers. The Kapolda noted, however, that smuggling between West Timor and Timor Leste was on a very small scale, especially when compared with smuggling operations in other areas of Indonesia. While officials in Riau stopped shiploads of smuggled fuel, he explained, NTT police were stopping individuals trying to smuggle a bottle of fuel across the border. Employing a Religious Approach -------------- ¶4. (C) Kapolda Sadarum credited his "religious" approach for maintaining a sense of calm in this predominantly Christian province and enhancing cooperation with TNI. Every Thursday, Sadarum leads a prayer gathering in his Kupang office for Catholic and Protestant policemen, while Muslim and Hindu policeman hold similar gatherings. He added that he had hosted a Catholic gathering in Maumere led by TNI and police priests the previous week. Yoseph Pati Bean, Director of the Justitia Legal Aid and Consultation Foundation, praised the Kapolda for using this religious approach effectively to enhance coordination and cooperation. ¶5. (SBU) Yoseph Pati Bean observed that there had been a significant change in the performance of the NTT police since the Suharto era. He said the police seriously approached its handling of recent cases of trafficking in persons and were willing to work closely with NGOs and religious leaders. In one instance, Bean described how his NGO had hosted human rights training seminars with European Union financing in the NTT regencies of Alor, Kupang, and Rote. Unlike the past, when the police refused to discuss human rights, Kapolda JAKARTA 00000451 002.2 OF 002 Sadarum had instructed his officers to participate in this and other seminars. ¶6. (C) On Flores, the Chief of Maumere,s police force (Kapolres) Adjunct Senior Commissioner Endan Syafrudin and the Military Commander of Maumere Lt Col. Agus presented a coordinated front in their meeting with us. They highlighted regular joint meetings, public appearances, and sporting events as good examples for the community and their units about the value of TNI-Police cooperation. By doing so, they agreed, TNI and Police units could avoid the type of clash that recently took place in Morotai, Ambon, and Papua (Ref A). Like the NTT Kapolda, the Kapolres of Maumere said he employed a &religious approach8 to public outreach. As Javanese Muslims in an overwhelming Catholic regency, Syafrudin said he and Lt. Col Agus regularly visited churches and mosques to meet residents. Syafrudin provided us with a book he had put together himself highlighting versions of Catholic, Muslim, and Hindu scriptures regarding security and order to be used when meeting with local religious populations. Resistance to a Korem on Flores -------------- ¶7. (C) TNI,s plans to establish a Sub-Regency Military Command (Korem) on the island of Flores had triggered peaceful demonstrations and expressions of concern by local officials and citizens. The Regent of Sikka Alexander Longginus suggested that an increased TNI presence in Maumere was unnecessary given the security situation and lack of international boundaries in Flores. Local activists worried about the underlying motivations for and potential destabilizing impact of an increased military -- and predominantly Muslim -- force stationed on overwhelmingly Christian Flores. They added that TNI,s anticipated demands for profitable commercial returns to support a new Korem would put unnecessary pressure on Flores,s already fragile economy. Australian Assistance -------------- ¶8. (C) Officials in Kupang and Maumere highlighted the importance of training, equipment, and cooperation offered by the Australian Police Force (APF) to NTT police professionalism and effectiveness. Kapolda Sadarum proudly offered a tour of his newly inaugurated trans-national crime center, designed to enhance coordination between NTT and Australian officials to combat trans-national crimes. Sadarum displayed pictures from his recent visit to Australia and noted that the NTT police and APF had recently participated in joint exercises. The Maumere Kapolres added that Australia had provided beneficial training to his forces on combating trans-national crimes. HUME