Dual police leadership remains<\/p>\n
JAKARTA (JP): The present dual leadership of the National
\nPolice remains, with suspended National Police chief Gen. Surojo
\nBimantoro denying reports that he will accept a new position in
\nthe government.<\/p>\n
Nevertheless, Bimantoro promised that he would seek a peaceful
\nsolution to the leadership row with his new deputy, Comr. Gen.
\nChaeruddin Ismail, whom President Abdururahman Wahid had tasked
\nto take over all responsibilities from Bimantoro.<\/p>\n
\"Chaeruddin and I are cooperative in seeking a peaceful
\nsolution to the row, and I'm optimistic that both of us will find
\nthe best solution,\" he said at a hearing with the House of
\nRepresentatives' Commission I on defense, security and foreign
\naffairs<\/p>\n
As of Wednesday, newly-installed National Police deputy chief
\nComr. Gen. Chaeruddin Ismail occupies a huge office on the third
\nfloor of the main building at the National Police headquarters,
\none floor above Bimantoro's office, which is on the second floor
\nof the same building.<\/p>\n
Chaeruddin's office, like Bimantoro's office, is guarded by
\nofficers of the National Police internal affairs.<\/p>\n
Chaeruddin reportedly spent most of Wednesday morning
\nreceiving a number of police generals at his office, before
\nleaving the building at 1 p.m.<\/p>\n
Speaking at the hearing, Bimantoro also denied reports that he
\nwould take early retirement and occupy a new position outside the
\nNational Police.<\/p>\n
\"I want to clarify in this meeting that I have no intention to
\nretire early from the National Police, and no intention to accept
\nany new position outside the National Police, as I'm enjoying my
\npresent job,\" he said.<\/p>\n
Bimantoro was referring in particular to a statement made by
\nCoordinating Minister for Politics, Social and Security Affairs
\nGen. (ret) Agum Gumelar on Tuesday that Bimantoro would take
\nearly retirement next month and get a new position in the
\ngovernment.<\/p>\n
Agum reiterated on Wednesday that the appointment of
\nChaeruddin as the National Police deputy chief was part of a
\nprocess to bring new blood into the police force as Bimantoro
\nwill enter his mandatory retirement age very soon.<\/p>\n
\"The National Police will abide by official procedures that
\nrequire the appointment of a new chief of National Police at this
\ntime,\" he said, after meeting with House leaders over his
\nappointment as top security minister.<\/p>\n
Agum, who has occupied several strategic positions in the Army
\nin the past, warned that the leadership row at the National
\npolice must end immediately as all police officers, like all
\nsoldiers, are under command and must be loyal to their superior.<\/p>\n
\"Soldiers and police officers are principally under command.
\nThey must abide by their superior's orders and they are not
\nallowed to bargain,\" he said.<\/p>\n
On Tuesday, he called for harsh sanctions against police
\ngenerals who were found to be disloyal to their leadership and
\nthose who were involved in subversion.<\/p>\n
\"Strict sanctions must be taken against subordinates who are
\nfound to be disloyal to their superior's instructions,\" he said.<\/p>\n
He noted that the dual leadership at the National Police could
\nhave a negative impact on the police's internal organization and
\nto the service they provide to the public, especially in terms of
\nsecurity, order and law enforcement.<\/p>\n
Bimantoro denied that he had defied the President's order on
\nhis suspension, saying that he was ready to be discharged from
\nhis position, provided it was conducted in accordance with
\nexisting regulations.<\/p>\n
\"What I am rejecting is submitting my letter of resignation. I
\nwon't resign without an accountability on my performance over the
\nlast two years, especially the recent incident in Pasuruan,\" he
\nsaid.<\/p>\n
The President said recently that Bimantoro's suspension had
\nsomething to do with the killing of one of his supporters
\ndemonstrating in Pasuruan, East Java.<\/p>\n
Bimantoro also said that his meeting with 94 high-ranking
\npolice officials at the National Police Headquarters over the
\nweekend was aimed at solidifying the one-line command among units
\nin the National Police.<\/p>\n
\"Besides, police officials were asked not to be trapped by
\npolitics and to take strict action against civil unrest. All
\nthese instructions must be complied with in order to avoid
\nconfusion among members of the public,\" he said. (rms\/ylt)<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/dual-police-leadership-remains-1447893297",
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