Bimantoro inducted as National Police chief

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)