“Are the Bali Police different to the Indonesian Police, Roy?”
That question leaves me with more questions, as it is open ended and unspecific, but if the question is geared towards the make up of where the vast majority of the police in Bali come from in Indonesia, then the answer is clearly yes, as most of the police in Bali, are in fact, from Bali.
During the years of laying the foundation of the Republic of Indonesia, and as late as the Presidency of Pak Harto, the Kepolisian Negara Republik Indonesia or Indonesian National Police was the dominant structure of the Departemen Pertahanan Keamanan or Department of Defense and Security. All aspects of the military was under their control...army, navy and air force.
The so called 1997 “police law” changed all of that. These days, the police have their own territorial organizations made up various provincial jurisdictions. Each of these jurisdictions, known as police regional command, is now administratively sub classed at the regency and even village level. That is what we refer to when we say Polda.
Not to intend to further complicate this, but within this provincial structure, there are para-military police units, which are better trained, and act primarily as anti-terrorist units but still under the command of the provincial chief of police...to a point. In their non field uniforms, you can’t distinguish them from “normal polda” except for a unique patch on their regular uniforms. In Bali, (and elsewhere in Indonesia), they still maintain separate barracks and facilities. If you are at all familiar with police structure in the US, it would be fair to compare them to SWAT. These units are more wisely deployed in areas of Indonesia where riots, movement towards separatism, or terrorism, is at higher risk, or when special tactics, expertise, and firepower is called for.
I hope it is understandable, as well as logical, that an effective on the ground, day to day police force entrusted and engaged with the primary responsibility of “normal” law enforcement issues, such personnel are best recruited from the population they serve to protect. That is most certainly the case in Bali, and I’ve been told that it is the same in all the provinces of Indonesia.
In this regard, the answer to your question is yes, the Balinese police (to a great extent) are indeed different to the Indonesian police. The understanding of local customs, adat (village law) and indigenous local language is essential for law enforcement at the provincial and regency level. Similarly, the police in Aceh should be expected to be different, and are, from the police in Ambon. This has been appreciated, understood, and implemented in Indonesia for over ten years now, and in my humble opinion, far over due to be appreciated and acknowledged.
I freely admit that I get very testy when things here in my home are unfairly criticized, or brought to the level of Nigeria as fair comparison. To expect that in all levels of democracy, Indonesia should be on par with other western cultures, like the US or the EU is ludicrous! Indonesia is a new democracy, and with very uniquely challenging road blocks...like some 15,000 pieces of her body spread out a vast distance, and within each, finding some 400 unique ethnic cultures.
It was one thing for American patriots to unify just 13 land bordered colonies during its quest for democracy. Here, in Indonesia, the challenges have been vastly more daunting and more insurmountable than in any modern democracy in recorded history. IMHO, every Indonesian, from Aceh to Papua, should be proud, as there is damn good reason to be proud. And, shame on them who compare Indonesia to Nigeria.
To the negative pundits, I suggest they start learning Indonesian history, compare and contrast with their own country’s history, and cease offering blanket statements based on opinions that are preconceived from ignorance or complete lack of first hand living experiences.
