Jenny Grant, Jakarta – Experts have advised separating the police from the armed forces and redefining the President's control over military affairs as part of moves to democratise the law-and-order system.

Analyst Salim Said told a military conference that President Bacharuddin Habibie should use National Military Day on October 5 to separate the forces. "[Legislation] is needed to revert the function of the military as a freedom-fighting army and change the state police into a law-enforcement apparatus different from the army," said Mr Said. The police force was independent when established in 1945, but was later brought under the umbrella of the armed forces. In his National Day address last month, Mr Habibie suggested the police should be made into a strong and independent force.

A former national police chief, retired general Djamin Awaloeddin, said the police force should also reassess its ties with the President to become a more neutral body. "The state police should be under the head of government, while the military is under the head of state," said Mr Awaloeddin.

The head of the military's sociopolitical affairs department, Lieutenant-GeneralSusilo Bambang Yudhoyono, said the head of state's role had to be clearly defined. The 1945 constitution states that the president is the supreme commander of the armed forces in Indonesia. But former president Suharto used his position and military tours of duty to promote loyal officers.

Critics said his military interference had harmed the armed forces' professionalism and effectiveness. "It should be made clear when a president should function as the head of state, or the head of government or the head of the armed forces," said General Yudhoyono. He said the military should not be aligned with any political party.

Armed forces chief General Wiranto said this week the military was ready to reshape its dual function status, which gives it a legitimate political and social role.