Bimantoro dismissed, gets new post
JAKARTA (JP): Sending shock waves through police forces nationwide on the 55th anniversary of the National Police, President Abdurrahman Wahid announced on Sunday that he had dismissed National Police chief Gen. Surojo Bimantoro and would appoint him as Indonesian ambassador to Malaysia.
Speaking at the ceremony marking the police's anniversary at the National Police's Bhayangkara parade ground in South Jakarta, Abdurrahman said National Police deputy chief Comr. Gen. Chaeruddin Ismail would temporarily take over the duties of the National Police chief until a new police chief had been appointed.
"I convey my heartfelt thanks to Pak Bimantoro who has served as the National Police chief to date and who has received a new appointment. He will be getting the job of Indonesia's ambassador to Malaysia," Abdurrahman said.
He said the appointment of Bimantoro as the Indonesian ambassador to Malaysia could not be postponed any longer as the current Indonesian ambassador in Kuala Lumpur, Wayarabi Alkadar, would be transferred to fill the empty ambassadorial post in Saudi Arabia that was formerly occupied by Baharuddin Lopa.
Lopa was recently appointed Attorney General.
The relationship between Abdurrahman and the police force has been difficult following the President's decision in late May to suspend Bimantoro and appoint Chaeruddin as National Police deputy chief to perform the day-to-day duties of the police chief.
The President's decision, however, was challenged by Bimantoro, saying that Abdurrahman should have secured the approval of the House of Representatives prior to dismissing him, citing a decree of the People's Consultative Assembly.
A smile appeared on the lips of Bimantoro upon hearing the President's announcement at Sunday's ceremony.
"How do I feel? I've a headache. I wonder where my wife is now?" Bimantoro laughingly told reporters after attending the anniversary ceremony.
Present at the ceremony were Vice President Megawati Soekarnoputri, who was fully attired in a policewoman's uniform, Bimantoro, Chaeruddin, retired police generals and current senior police officers.
Abdurrahman's announcement on Bimantoro's dismissal at the police's anniversary ceremony, however, received mixed responses from several top police generals, some of whom termed the announcement as "greatly disappointing."
Former National Police chief Gen. (ret) Roesmanhadi described Abdurrahman's decision as "correct", saying that it would solve the problem of dualism in the police leadership.
National Police spokesman Insp. Gen. Didi Widayadi said that Sunday's announcement followed the issuance of Presidential Decree No. 49/2001, dated June 30, that dismissed Bimantoro.
Didi described the announcement and the decree as controversial, noting that the National Police had only received a photocopy of the new decree.
"The President has made the announcement without first discussing the matter with House members," Didi said.
The deputy chairman of the TNI/National Police faction in the House, Comr. Gen. Posma L. Tobing, said that the dismissal and Abdurrahman's speech were not in line with the spirit of the 55th anniversary of the National Police.
"The dismissal of a National Police chief must be sanctioned by the House. We were never even notified of this. What is being happening is against the existing regulations and is unconstitutional," Posma told reporters following the event, which ended at 10 a.m. on Sunday.
A top police official, who requested anonymity, said that Bimantoro's dismissal at this juncture was connected with the planned convening of the special session of the People's Legislative Assembly, which could lead to impeachment proceedings being instituted against the President.
"The President wants to control the National Police force, because it's his handpicked man (Chaeruddin) who will control and direct security during the session. This is clear political interference," the official said.
Despite his denial, strong rumors circulating at National Police headquarters indicate that Bimantoro knew of the ambassadorship offer beforehand and had seriously considered taking it up.
A legislator from the House's Commission I on security and foreign affairs, Sophan Sophiaan, said that it was the President's prerogative to appoint ambassadors, but there were procedures that had to be followed.
"It is the President's prerogative, but he should submit the name of any ambassador to the House for approval and afterwards, it must get the green light from the host country. This should take about three months before anything official can be decided."
"I think it is up to Pak Bimantoro and the National Police whether to accept the President's decision or not," Sophan, an executive of the Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle, told The Jakarta Post. (ylt/dja)