[Kabar-indonesia] Papuans honor police with hot stone ritual [+Police mark modest anniversary]

[Joyo at aol.com]

also: Police mark modest anniversary

The Jakarta Post 
Monday, July 3, 2006

Papuans honor police with hot stone ritual

As ceremonies marked the National Police's 60th anniversary Saturday, Papuans 
observed the moment uniquely, holding a bakar batu, or "burning the stone" 
thanksgiving ritual.

Residents from 42 villages in Jayawijaya regency's three districts prepared a 
communal meal, cooking it with hot stones before sharing it together.

In the process, the stones were heated before being placed in a hole and then 
covered with banana leaves and grass.

The food -- pork, corn and vegetables -- was then placed on top of the stones 
and covered with more banana leafs. The food was cooked by the steam coming 
from the hot stones, giving the ritual its name.

The Saturday event was held after Papua Police chief Insp. Gen. Tommy Jacobus 
opened Bolakme police precinct to celebrate the anniversary.

Chief of Central Wamena tribe Pianok Tabuni said the ritual was to show 
gratitude for rise of the local police office's status from a police post to police 
precinct.

"This event is also intended to show people's gratitude to the police who 
ensure people's safety," he said.

------------------------------------------------------------------------------

The Jakarta Post 
Monday, July 3, 2006

Police mark modest anniversary

The Jakarta Post, Jakarta

The 60th anniversary of the National Police on Saturday was different from 
previous celebrations. There were no costly parades, no fancy foods and most 
noticeably, no sponsors.

With the aim of projecting a more down-to-earth image and nurturing the bond 
between the police and the people, many top police generals left the capital 
to celebrate the day in sub-precincts across the country.

"This year we want to celebrate the police day with people. That's why we 
chose the theme `Police as Citizens' Partners'. After all, the police are part of 
the citizenry themselves," said National Police chief Gen. Sutanto, who 
marked the anniversary at the Ulee Kareng police sub-precinct in the 
tsunami-ravaged province of Aceh.

In previous years the police used to celebrate their day extravagantly at 
their headquarters, with acrobatic displays of military stunts.

The ceremony used to take place on a large field, with thousands of officers 
marching to music by the police marching band. Top celebrities ranging from 
the president, ministers and diplomats to other distinguished guests were in 
attendance.

Those extravagant activities demanded big contributions from sponsors.

This year, the fund for the anniversary celebration was allocated to 
sub-precincts from the police budget.

"Every sub-precinct has its own budget for the celebration," National Police 
spokesman Sr. Comr. Bambang Kuncoko told The Jakarta Post on Sunday.

As part of the celebration, the police presented awards to hundreds of 
officers and civilians who helped keep the peace and participated in humanitarian 
work.

The Central Java police recognized three volunteers in the Bantul regency who 
helped victims of the May 27 earthquake that struck Yogyakarta and parts of 
Central Java.

The awards were presented to M. Ali Ridho, Supriyanto and Beny Hermawan by 
Central Java Police chief Brig. Gen. Bambang Aris Sampurno Djati during 
Saturday's celebration in Bantul.

That day, spokesman Bambang also visited quake victims sheltering at the 
Police Children's Center established jointly with Unicef.

Apart from these social activities, other events involving displays of power 
were carried out in some police headquarters around the country, but they were 
fewer and had a different touch.

In South Sulawesi, police allowed children to take a close look at their 
operational instruments including a helicopter displayed at a sports field in 
South Galesong, Makassar. Villagers were entertained with games such as Pinang 
pole climbing.

The event was followed by mass circumcisions for hundreds of local Muslim 
boys. 

------------------------------------------
Joyo Indonesia News Service
------------------------------------------