Bimantoro is still police chief: DPR

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)