Bagus BT Saragih, Jakarta – A series of alleged human rights abuses by police officers across Indonesia are a result of a corrupt system implemented by the police, causing the force to side with businesspeople, activists say.

When police and big companies were on the same side, police could be "used to protect the companies' interests, even if it required clashes with civilians," Indonesian Forum for the Environment (Walhi) regional empowerment division chief Erwin Usman said Tuesday.

He added that most bloody clashes between police officers and civilians had involved high-profile companies. "Most of the incidents that took place in Sumatra, Sulawesi and Kalimantan, for example, involved plantations, logging and mining companies," Erwin said.

The most recent alleged human rights abuse by the police was a clash between hundreds of Mobile Police Brigade officers and palm oil farmers in Kuantan Senggigi, Riau, on June 8.

Yusniar, a 45-year-old mother and palm oil farmer, was shot dead by police, while Disman, another farmer, is still in a critical condition after being shot by police.

According to data collected by Walhi, up to 84 people nationwide have fallen victim to police criminalization and violence since January 2010, in various locations including as Ogan Komering Ilir in South Sumatra, Buton in Southeast Sulawesi, and Banggai in Central Sulawesi.

"The stories have all been similar: police have helped companies handle local civilians who they thought hampered their business," Erwin said.

National Commission for Missing Persons and Victims of Violence (Kontras) deputy coordinator Indria Fernida shared Erwin's views.

"Indeed, the small budget for police has become a factor triggering corruption in the force. However, money is not everything. The money can be raised but the corruption may remain if the officers don't change their morality and integrity," she said.