Fears of repression as police move to repurpose civil security apparatus

The National Police recently moved to regulate the civil security apparatus by issuing National Police Chief Regulation No. 4/2020 on private security (Pam Swakarsa), which critics decry for creating the potential for abuse of power and repression. National Police chief Gen. Idham Azis signed the regulation last month, stipulating that civilian security actors such as private security guards (Satpam) and members of the community watch (Satkamling) can be called upon to help the police maintain security and public order. They are not to be confused with the homonymous paramilitary groups that operated in the last years of the New Order. Private security guards, who previously wore white uniforms for day shifts and navy blue uniforms for night shifts, will also be required to wear brown uniforms with rank badges, bringing them more in line with police officers. According to the…