Budi Utomo assumes duty as new Papua Police chief

Nethy Dharma Somba, The Jakarta Post, Jayapura

Inspector General Budi Utomo began his tenure as Papua Police chief by calling on local residents to cooperate with the authorities to ensure peace in the resource-rich but restive province.

Budi, who has been assigned in the province several times in the past, received the ceremonial Papua Police leadership baton from his predecessor, Insp. Gen. I Made Mangku Pastika, who is now heading the joint inquiry team investigating the Oct. 12 Bali bombings, during a simple ceremony here on Monday.

Also attending the ceremony were Papua Governor Jaap Salossa, vice governor Constant Karma, the chief of the Trikora Military Command overseeing the province, Maj. Gen. Mahidin Simbolon, and other police and military officers.

Budi was sworn in as new chief of the Papua Police on Oct. 28 in Jakarta, replacing Mangku Pastika.

During the ceremony Mangku Pastika thanked the people of Papua, local religious leaders and non-governmental organizations (NGOs) for their help in maintaining security in the province during his tenure. He said he hoped his successor would be able to build on this cooperation in dealing with problems in the province.

Mangku Pastika made a name for himself with his successful investigation of the alleged involvement of nine members of the Army's Special Force (Kopassus) in the murder of proindependence Papuan leader Dorthey "Theys" Hiyo Eluway on Nov. 11, 2001. The suspects will be tried by military tribunal.

He challenged Budi to continue the investigations into the alleged involvement of servicemen in the killing of two foreigners and one Indonesian near the Freeport mine in Timika on Aug. 31.

Budi, in his speech during Monday's ceremony, called on all members of society to work together to fulfill the promise of Papua.

"Without the cooperation of local residents, we will not be successful in doing our job," he said.

Governor Jaap Salossa pointed out that Budi was not new to the province, having been assigned as police precinct chiefs in Sorong, Fakfak and Jayapura between 1984 and 1990.

He also confirmed that National Police chief Da'i Bachtiar had apologized for not consulting with him and the provincial legislative council before naming Budi as Mangku Pastika's replacement, as required by the regional autonomy law and the Papua special autonomy law.

Solossa also expressed hope Budi would continue the policy of Mangku Pastika of cooperating with local officials, religious leaders and nongovernmental organizations to resolve problems in the province.

"I also hope that Budi and I can cooperate with each other to turn Papua into a peaceful zone," he said.

Budi also confirmed the National Police chief's apology, saying it would not happen again.

"Pak Da'i apologized to Pak Solossa for the misunderstanding, and we hope this will not reoccur in the future," he said.