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Police chief should act firmly against intolerant groups: Lawyers

Jakarta Globe - January 17, 2017

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Jakarta – Petrus Selestinus, coordinator of a team of lawyers called the Team of Defenders of Indonesian Democracy, or TPDI, has called on National Police chief Gen. Tito Karnavian to act firmly against intolerant groups.

The call came after a group of men assaulted an official of the Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDI-P) in Petamburan area, West Jakarta, on Friday (06/01).

Petrus said the police chief should not give an impression that there is impunity for organizations, such as the Islamic Defenders Front (FPI), which commit acts of violence.

"The police seem to be needing public acceptance to act against these groups," Petrus said in Jakarta on Saturday.

"If law enforcement depends on public acceptance, it will become dangerous for smaller groups of people to express their ideas," he added. According to him, public acceptance will emerge with actions that benefit the society.

Earlier, the police have vowed to act against members of mass organizations who break the law.

Source: http://jakartaglobe.id/news/police-chief-act-firmly-intolerant-groups-lawyers/.