Jakarta – The Indonesian Corruption Watch (ICW) has reported payments of security funds by PT Freeport Indonesia to the police from 2001 to 2010 totaling around US$79.1 million.

"The money was basically illegal. Furthermore, the funds can be seen as a bribe because they were given without any legal grounds," ICW researcher Firdaus Ilyas said Tuesday, as quoted by tribunnews.com.

He said that his team had not investigated whether or not the money had flowed to the police chief, which could then be regarded as a gratuity. However, he was convinced that the money did not go through the Finance Ministry.

National Police chief Gen. Timur Pradopo had previously admitted that police officers in Papua had accepted money from Freeport, which he lightly regarded as mere "pocket money".

Firdaus, however, said that accepting money from external sources in return for security services was unacceptable for the police, as it was their duty to ensure order and security.

"State institutions are not allowed to accept money from anyone and from any institution or company," he said.