President fails to name new attorney general<\/p>\n
JAKARTA (JP): President Abdurrahman \"Gus Dur\" Wahid failed to
\nfulfill his promise to name a new attorney general on Saturday,
\nand it appeared he also did not succeed in forcing outgoing
\nNational Police chief Gen. Surojo Bimantoro to realize his
\npromise to surrender his command baton.<\/p>\n
Speaking to reporters on Saturday after attending the weekly
\nmeeting of the National Awakening Party in Kuningan, South
\nJakarta, Abdurrahman said he would name a new attorney general on
\nTuesday.<\/p>\n
The President appeared unhappy when asked about Justice
\nArtidjo Alkostar's claim that he had turned down the President's
\noffer to lead the Attorney General's Office.<\/p>\n
\"It will be announced on Tuesday,\" the President said about
\nthe new attorney general.<\/p>\n
Speaking to the congregation following Friday prayers at a
\nmosque near his house in Ciganjur, South Jakarta, the President
\nsaid he had made up his mind about the new attorney general and
\nwould make an announcement on Saturday.<\/p>\n
On Saturday morning, the President had breakfast with acting
\nAttorney General Soeparman at the Merdeka Palace. Soeparman,
\nhowever, said the two just ate breakfast and did not touch on the
\nissue of his future.<\/p>\n
\"The President has not made a decision about the new attorney
\ngeneral,\" Soeparman said following the breakfast.<\/p>\n
The President refused to name any candidates to reporters.
\nPresidential spokesman Adhie Massardi, however, indicated
\nMinister of Justice and Human Rights Marsillam Simanjuntak was
\nthe leading candidate to replace Baharuddin Lopa, who died on
\nTuesday.<\/p>\n
Marsillam has been in his current position for one month,
\nhaving previously served as the Cabinet secretary.<\/p>\n
\"Apart from his knowledge of the law, Pak Marsillam also is
\nfeared by corruptors,\" Adhie said.<\/p>\n
Bimantoro<\/p>\n
According to Abdurrahman's official schedule, Bimantoro did
\nnot turn up at the Merdeka Palace on Saturday to hand over his
\ncommand baton and other attributes to the President, as promised
\nby a senior minister on Friday.<\/p>\n
Coordinating Minister for Political, Social and Security
\nAffairs Agum Gumelar had announced that Bimantoro had agreed to
\nofficially hand over his command to the President.<\/p>\n
\"At least from the schedule I have, there is no plan for the
\nPresident to meet with Bimantoro today,\" a senior protocol
\nofficial said.<\/p>\n
The President dismissed Bimantoro last month and appointed
\nComr. Gen. Chaeruddin as National Police deputy chief. Chaeruddin
\nwas assigned to take command of the day-to-day activities of the
\nNational Police chief.<\/p>\n
\"Tomorrow (Saturday), Pak Bimantoro will meet with the
\nPresident and is expected to settle all these disputes,\" Agum
\nsaid on Friday.<\/p>\n
The President did visit on Saturday renowned author Pramoedya
\nAnanta Toer at his new home in Depok, West Java. Pramoedya
\npresented two copies of his books to Abdurrahman.<\/p>\n
The writer was among the first guests the President received
\nafter his election in October 1999.<\/p>\n
Abdurrahman reportedly also held a meeting with Golkar Party
\nchairman Akbar Tandjung at a house on Jl. Sisimangaraja, South
\nJakarta, on Saturday.<\/p>\n
The meeting took place just two days before a scheduled
\nmeeting between the President and leaders of major political
\nparties at the Bogor presidential palace.<\/p>\n
\"I heard about the meeting. But frankly speaking, very few
\npeople know about this matter,\" a protocol officer said.<\/p>\n
Chief presidential spokesman Wimar Witoelar said that the
\nheads of the major political parties had agreed to attend the
\nmeeting on Monday.<\/p>\n
\"Invitations have been sent and it (the meeting) will be held
\nat the Bogor palace,\" Wimar confirmed. (prb)<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/president-fails-to-name-new-attorney-general-1447893297",
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