Bimantoro dismissed, gets new post

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)