Bimantoro inducted as National Police chief

JAKARTA (JP): President Abdurrahman Wahid, showing off his nerve, swore in Gen. S. Bimantoro as National Police chief replacing Gen. Rusdihardjo on Saturday, two days earlier than planned.

A few hours before the ceremony, the three-star general was also promoted to four-star general.

Only three ministers were present.

Rusdihardjo and Army Chief of Staff Gen. Tyasno Sudarto, who is rumored soon to lose his position, were among the absent.

Citing a national security emergency, the President claimed that without concrete action Indonesia would be unable to resist pressures from the United Nations and the international community following the release of six suspects in the investigation of the murders of three UN workers in Atambua, West Timor, on Sept. 6.

In his Decree No. 67, dated Sept. 23, the President cited the urgent security situation as the reason to appoint Bimantoro.

"Last night there was a report from Atambua, that something shocking occurred there. The six suspects in the killings of the UNHCR (United Nations High Commission for Refugees) staff have been released from detention following their questioning," the President pointed out.

The President said he had to appoint a National Police chief earlier than planned to preempt any possible action against Indonesia by UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan because of the release of the suspects.

"Therefore, we have to install Bapak Bimantoro as National Police chief to enable him to quickly take all necessary actions in securing Atambua, to show the outside world that we are truly serious in handling the case," said the President.

The dismissal of Rusdihardjo and the installment of Bimantoro has been controversial, drawing opinions both pro and con.

Many say that the dismissal of the National Police chief must first be approved by the House of Representatives (DPR), while others said in a state emergency the President has the right to fire the National Police chief.

People's Consultative Assembly (MPR) Decree No. VII, issued in August, stipulates that the appointment and replacement of the National Police chief requires prior approval from the House.

The strongest criticism might come from the People's Consultative Assembly speaker, Amien Rais. Citing the decree, Amien warned on Saturday that a special session could be called to discuss the President's wrongdoing.

Amien, a staunch critic of the President, reiterated that Abdurrahman had violated an Assembly decree. "Constitutionally Bimantoro's promotion was not valid. This is a very daring violation of an MPR decree," Amien said.

The President had earlier promised House Speaker Akbar Tandjung that he would install Bimantoro after receiving endorsement from the House on Monday.

Abdurrahman met again with Akbar on Saturday prior to the installation of Bimantoro.

"I have met with Akbar Tandjung to discuss this new development in the presence of the Attorney General," he remarked about the meeting.

As Vice President Megawati Soekarnoputri was on a two-day visit to East Nusa Tenggara, Coordinating Minister for Political, Social and Security Affairs Lt. Gen. (ret.) Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono swore in Bimantoro on the President's behalf.

Born in Gombong, Central Java on Nov. 1, 1946, Bimantoro graduated from National Police Academy in 1970. He was promoted as Rusdihardjo's deputy in January, when Rusdihardjo was promoted.

Speaking to journalists after the ceremony, Bimantoro did not speak about the situation in Atambua. He talked only about the recent bombings and other national security problems.

"My priority is to handle the crimes that have upset the public and which have national political and economic impact," the general noted.

Bimantoro vowed to follow up the President's instruction to arrest Tommy. "We will continue developing information we obtain to get enough evidence," Bimantoro pledged, referring to former president Soeharto's son, Hutomo "Tommy" Mandala Putra.

Abdurrahman did not say what Bimantoro would do to reduce international pressure over Atambua.

"It is his business, not mine," the President replied when asked about Bimantoro's international mission. (prb)