Gen. Bimantoro reinstated as police chief<\/p>\n
JAKARTA (JP): Gen. Surojo Bimantoro was formally reappointed
\non Friday to his position as National Police chief after
\nPresident Megawati Soekarnoputri issued a presidential decree
\nannulling the controversial decree suspending him, issued by
\nformer president Abdurrahman Wahid.<\/p>\n
The move is expected to end uncertainty regarding leadership
\nof the police force and was seen as a mere formality. In a
\ngesture of support, Megawati symbolically returned the command
\nbaton to Bimantoro on the first day of her presidency, when he
\ncongratulated her on her appointment as president.<\/p>\n
Megawati also annulled another disputed decree on the national
\npolice organizational structure, which revived the position of
\ndeputy police chief outgoing vice presidential secretary Bambang
\nKesowo said on Friday. After being appointed deputy police chief,
\nGen. Chaeruddin Ismail was later appointed as acting police
\nchief.<\/p>\n
Presidential Decree No. 61\/2001 announced on Friday,
\nstipulates that Chaeruddin's appointment has been canceled and
\nthe government is committed to resolving problems within the
\nwhole police institution as soon as possible.<\/p>\n
\"The President is now considering withdrawing former president
\nAbdurrahman's submission requesting the House of Representatives
\nto nominate candidates to fill the vacant position of police
\nchief,\" Bambang added.<\/p>\n
He contended that the Supreme Court, after reviewing decrees
\nconcerning reinstatement of the deputy police chief position,
\nsuggested that the decrees issued by Abdurrahman were illegal,
\nwhich compelled Megawati to revoke them.<\/p>\n
Separately, Bimantoro expressed gratitude for his
\nreinstatement and called for unity among police officers in
\ncarrying out their routine duties.<\/p>\n
\"I hope the decision will become a base from which to
\nconsolidate and uphold discipline among fellow police officers. I
\ncall on all police officers to maintain unity,\" Bimantoro said.<\/p>\n
Abdurrahman's move to dismiss Bimantoro motivated the People's
\nConsultative Assembly to call an early special session, speeding
\nup his removal from office.<\/p>\n
Many believe that Abdurrahman's insistence to dismiss
\nBimantoro was motivated by the police chief's refusal to support
\nthe president's plan to declare a state of emergency in a last
\nditch attempt to stay in power.<\/p>\n
With strong backing from the House of Representatives,
\nBimantoro rejected his dismissal and insisted that, legally, he
\nwas still the police chief.<\/p>\n
Bimantoro's dismissal and the appointment of Chaeruddin had
\ncaused confusion and friction within the police force leadership.<\/p>\n
President Megawati's move was applauded by various quarters,
\nmost notably among police authorities.<\/p>\n
National Police deputy spokesman Sr. Comr. Edward Aritonang
\nsaid he hoped Megawati's decision would end disputes regarding
\nleadership of the police force.<\/p>\n
\"We have not yet received the decree. We will abolish the
\nposition of the deputy police chief as soon as we receive the
\ndecision,\" Aritonang said.<\/p>\n
He said incumbent deputy police chief Gen. Chaeruddin Ismail
\nwould soon be reassigned. He refused to reveal whether or not
\nChaeruddin would be reinstated as chief of the Police Staff and
\nCommand Academy. (dja\/jun)<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/gen-bimantoro-reinstated-as-police-chief-1447893297",
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