Bimantoro is still police chief: DPR<\/p>\n
JAKARTA (JP): As tension gripped top police generals over the
\ndual leadership at the National Police, the House of
\nRepresentatives declared on Tuesday their support for National
\nPolice Chief, Gen. Surojo Bimantoro.<\/p>\n
Bimantoro had earlier accepted his dismissal by President
\nAbdurrahman Wahid, but refused the President's offer to appoint
\nhim as Indonesian ambassador to Malaysia.<\/p>\n
\"The constitutional process (to sack the police chief) must be
\ncarried out. Until then, the House still considers Bimantoro as
\nNational Police Chief,\" chairman of House's Commission I on
\nForeign and Security Affairs, Yasril Ananta Baharuddin, told
\nreporters, following a closed meeting with Bimantoro and other
\ntop police generals.<\/p>\n
Yasril said that even if Bimantoro respected and agreed to the
\nPresident's decision to dismiss him, existing regulations still
\nrequire the House to sanction the dismissal.<\/p>\n
Confusion reigned at the National Police Headquarters on
\nTuesday as strong rumors suggested that Comr. Gen. Chaeruddin
\nIsmail, who was handpicked by Abdurrahman, is scheduled to be
\ninstalled as the National Police chief on Wednesday.<\/p>\n
\"The installation ceremony was scheduled for Wednesday, but
\nafter the meeting with House members, things might change...but I
\ncannot be sure. After all, Bimantoro is also scheduled to meet
\nwith Coordinating Minister for Political, Social and Security
\nAffairs, Agum Gumelar, on Wednesday,\" a police general told The
\nJakarta Post on Tuesday.<\/p>\n
During the three-hour House meeting, Yasril said, House
\nmembers also evaluated the \"solidity\" within National Police
\nheadquarters, particularly ahead of the start of the People's
\nConsultative Assembly Special Session on Aug. 1.<\/p>\n
He further remarked that Bimantoro's refusal to take the post
\nas Indonesian ambassador to Malaysia was his \"personal right\" and
\nnot an expression of insubordination, as the President had
\nearlier stated.<\/p>\n
City Police chief Insp. Gen. Sofjan Yacob, who attended the
\nmeeting, told reporters that he still considers Bimantoro as his
\npolice chief and would continue to follow Bimantoro's orders.<\/p>\n
He pointed out that full command within the National Police is
\nstill in the hands of Bimantoro.<\/p>\n
\"All necessary documents and instructions are also signed by
\nGen. Bimantoro,\" Sofjan told reporters.<\/p>\n
\"There is only one order (to be heeded) at National Police
\nHeadquarters...and that is the order that comes down from
\nBimantoro.\"<\/p>\n
Sofjan added that 42,000 security personnel would be deployed
\nand put on alert across the capital for the special session.<\/p>\n
\"Everything will be secured. Do not worry,\" Sofjan said.<\/p>\n
Separately, Coordinating Minister Agum Gumelar said that he
\nunderstood Bimantoro's decision to refuse the ambassadorial post.<\/p>\n
\"The rejection is natural...The President only made a
\nproposal. He has not issued a decree stating that Bimantoro is
\nscheduled to be appointed as ambassador,\" Agum told reporters,
\nafter chairing a meeting on political, social, and security
\naffairs on Tuesday.<\/p>\n
\"(But) Once the President issues the decree, there will be no
\noption for Pak Bimantoro other than to say... Yes Sir! I'm sure
\nthat such a decree will not be issued as yet, since the President
\nmust first secure approval from the House and from the concerning
\ncountry (Malaysia).\"<\/p>\n
Present at the coordinating meeting were, among others,
\nMinister of Defense Mahfud MD., Minister of Justice and Human
\nRights Marsillam Simanjuntak, the Indonesian Military (TNI) chief
\nAdm. Widodo A.S., and also the National Police deputy chief,
\nComr. Gen. Chaeruddin Ismail. (ylt\/dja\/tso)<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/bimantoro-is-still-police-chief-dpr-1447893297",
"image": ""
},
"sponsor": "Okusi Associates",
"sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com"
}