Megawati objects to suspension<\/p>\n
JAKARTA (JP): Vice President Megawati Soekarnoputri talked
\ntough on Thursday, declaring her disagreement with the recent
\ndecision to suspend National Police chief Gen. Surojo Bimantoro.<\/p>\n
\"I object to the decision (to suspend Bimantoro) because it
\nshould have followed the correct procedures. There are certain
\nefforts to divide the TNI (Indonesian Military), the police and
\neven PDI Perjuangan,\" Megawati said, as quoted by a member of the
\nAssociation of Young Indonesian Businessmen (HIPMI), Bambang
\nSoesatyo.<\/p>\n
PDI Perjuangan is the Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle,
\nwhich Megawati chairs.<\/p>\n
HIPMI executives met with Megawati at her office to express
\ntheir concern about the prolonged political stalemate, which has
\nadversely affected the economy.<\/p>\n
Megawati, Bambang said, asserted that the decision on
\nBimantoro should have involved consultation with the House of
\nRepresentatives, as stipulated in the 2000 People's Consultative
\nAssembly (MPR) decree on the separation of the National Police
\nfrom the TNI.<\/p>\n
President Abdurrahman Wahid suspended Bimantoro last Saturday
\nand handpicked new police deputy chief Insp. Gen. Chaeruddin
\nIsmail to take over Bimantoro's day-to-day responsibilities. The
\nPresident said Bimantoro had tendered his resignation, which the
\nlatter has denied.<\/p>\n
Bimantoro's suspension followed a Cabinet reshuffle that
\nincluded the dismissal of former coordinating minister for
\npolitical, social and security affairs Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono.<\/p>\n
The move sparked speculation of a reshuffle in the TNI, which,
\nlike Bimantoro and Susilo, had rejected Abdurrahman's bid to
\nissue a decree of a state of emergency as a last-ditch effort to
\navoid an impeachment process being sought by MPR.<\/p>\n
A source close to the President told The Jakarta Post that
\nAbdurrahman considered TNI Chief Adm. Widodo A.S, Bimantoro and
\nSusilo as people who stand between him and the decree.<\/p>\n
In an unrelated development, a police officer, Sr. Comr.
\nNikmat Djayadi, is being questioned by the police intelligence
\nunit for allegedly stating that his fellow middle-ranking
\nofficers were pushing for Bimantoro's resignation.<\/p>\n
\"The officer has reportedly made statements against Gen.
\nBimantoro. Just so you know, Nikmat has been under strict police
\nobservation for sometime now, due to bad behavior,\" National
\nPolice spokesman Insp. Gen. Didi Widayadi told The Jakarta Post
\non Thursday.<\/p>\n
\"His statements, are in no way representatives of middle-
\nranking officers in the National Police.\"<\/p>\n
A group of National Police officials deemed Bimantoro's
\nsuspension an effort to create divisions within the National
\nPolice.<\/p>\n
Nearly 100 police generals nationwide have pledged their
\nsupport for Bimantoro, whose promotion to the National Police's
\ntop post drew controversy due to the absence of the House's
\nconsent.<\/p>\n
Bimantoro is due to retire by November this year.<\/p>\n
Despite rumors that he has accepted an ambassadorship and has
\nbeen offered lucrative positions in the government, Bimantoro has
\npromised never to step down from his post. (dja\/ylt)<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/megawati-objects-to-suspension-1447893297",
"image": ""
},
"sponsor": "Okusi Associates",
"sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com"
}