POLICE WATCH: SUSNO`S TESTIMONY ACT OF REFORM

Jakarta, Jan 8 (ANTARA) - The chief of the Indonesian Police Watch (IPW), Neta S. Pane, said Commissioner General Susno Duadji's move in testifying at a court session trying Antasari Azhar was a form of police reform.

"The testimony is an act of reform by the high ranking police officer," he said here on Friday.

He said Susno's action and decision had to be supported for the sake of promoting the reform process in the police force.

According to Neta, the testimony of the National Police's former chief detective was also helpful to the court in seeking to uncover the truth and real events in Antasari's case.

Susno's presence in his police uniform at the court session should not be made a problem because the judge had allowed it, he said.

"A court is a judge's autonomous jurisdiction," he said.

Susno on Thursday appeared at the South Jakarta District Court and gave testimony favorable to former antigraft chief Antasari Azhar who is accused of masterminding the murder of a businessman.

The three-star general testified in his personal capacity and not on behalf of the police force.

Susno's decision to come as a witness in the court however has drawn reactions from ranking police officials who argued that Susno had never asked for a permit for it from or notified the national police chief, and came to the court during office hours.

Susno is now facing allegations that he had violated the police's disciplinary rules and code of ethics leading to possible reprimand or discharge from the police force.***