Bimantoro is still police chief: DPR
JAKARTA (JP): As tension gripped top police generals over the dual leadership at the National Police, the House of Representatives declared on Tuesday their support for National Police Chief, Gen. Surojo Bimantoro.
Bimantoro had earlier accepted his dismissal by President Abdurrahman Wahid, but refused the President's offer to appoint him as Indonesian ambassador to Malaysia.
"The constitutional process (to sack the police chief) must be carried out. Until then, the House still considers Bimantoro as National Police Chief," chairman of House's Commission I on Foreign and Security Affairs, Yasril Ananta Baharuddin, told reporters, following a closed meeting with Bimantoro and other top police generals.
Yasril said that even if Bimantoro respected and agreed to the President's decision to dismiss him, existing regulations still require the House to sanction the dismissal.
Confusion reigned at the National Police Headquarters on Tuesday as strong rumors suggested that Comr. Gen. Chaeruddin Ismail, who was handpicked by Abdurrahman, is scheduled to be installed as the National Police chief on Wednesday.
"The installation ceremony was scheduled for Wednesday, but after the meeting with House members, things might change...but I cannot be sure. After all, Bimantoro is also scheduled to meet with Coordinating Minister for Political, Social and Security Affairs, Agum Gumelar, on Wednesday," a police general told The Jakarta Post on Tuesday.
During the three-hour House meeting, Yasril said, House members also evaluated the "solidity" within National Police headquarters, particularly ahead of the start of the People's Consultative Assembly Special Session on Aug. 1.
He further remarked that Bimantoro's refusal to take the post as Indonesian ambassador to Malaysia was his "personal right" and not an expression of insubordination, as the President had earlier stated.
City Police chief Insp. Gen. Sofjan Yacob, who attended the meeting, told reporters that he still considers Bimantoro as his police chief and would continue to follow Bimantoro's orders.
He pointed out that full command within the National Police is still in the hands of Bimantoro.
"All necessary documents and instructions are also signed by Gen. Bimantoro," Sofjan told reporters.
"There is only one order (to be heeded) at National Police Headquarters...and that is the order that comes down from Bimantoro."
Sofjan added that 42,000 security personnel would be deployed and put on alert across the capital for the special session.
"Everything will be secured. Do not worry," Sofjan said.
Separately, Coordinating Minister Agum Gumelar said that he understood Bimantoro's decision to refuse the ambassadorial post.
"The rejection is natural...The President only made a proposal. He has not issued a decree stating that Bimantoro is scheduled to be appointed as ambassador," Agum told reporters, after chairing a meeting on political, social, and security affairs on Tuesday.
"(But) Once the President issues the decree, there will be no option for Pak Bimantoro other than to say... Yes Sir! I'm sure that such a decree will not be issued as yet, since the President must first secure approval from the House and from the concerning country (Malaysia)."
Present at the coordinating meeting were, among others, Minister of Defense Mahfud MD., Minister of Justice and Human Rights Marsillam Simanjuntak, the Indonesian Military (TNI) chief Adm. Widodo A.S., and also the National Police deputy chief, Comr. Gen. Chaeruddin Ismail. (ylt/dja/tso)