City bids farewell to top crime 'reporter'

JAKARTA (JP): Armed with a prayer rug, a newspaper clipping of a new police cadet and a strong will, a young goat shepherd got into a passing truck heading to the North Sumatra capital of Medan from his small hometown of Binjai many years ago.

From Medan, the shepherd, now a police colonel, was then transported by bus, along with his colleagues, to Java.

"On the way, I couldn't sleep well for my goats were constantly on my mind," said shepherd A. Latief Rabar, a spokesman for the City Police Headquarters.

Latief found out that he passed the police cadet enrollment test by sneaking a peek at the local newspaper, usually closely guarded by his strict father.

"A boy of my age was not allowed to take a newspaper which had not been read by our parents. But I didn't care because I wanted to know whether I had made it," he said.

His father got angry upon discovering his taking the newspaper. However, he highly appreciated his son's achievement which, at that time, could improve their reputation in the village and among the relatives.

After serving at many posts in Java for a couple of years, Latief joined the Indonesian Armed Forces Academy (AKABRI) and graduated in 1970. Fourteen years later, he was assigned as the deputy spokesman for the City Police. A year later, he was appointed as deputy chief of the Tanjung Priok port. Before being assigned as City Police spokesman in 1987, Latief was posted as deputy chief for the North Jakarta police precinct.

After seven years

Today, the 50-year-old colonel, with a son and two daughters, will officially leave his post of seven years as the City Police spokesman. Latief is the longest serving police spokesman in this country and has served four different city police chiefs.

"Actually, he could get the job of police precinct chief but he is not a man who likes to get something through illicit means," said a police officer at the Tanjung Priok port.

City crime reporters, Latief's daily clients, take off their hats to the friendly colonel, appreciating his help and cooperation to meet the prime need of the press -- news.

"I don't think there will ever be another police spokesman like him who doesn't mind being disturbed by us at any time, day or night, for confirmation," said a reporter.

On critical issues, such as a clash between two religious groups, he never asked reporters to ban the story. Instead he would give details and let them determine for themselves the advantages and disadvantages of publishing such an article.

Speaking with reporters here yesterday, he argued: "Please help me. Do not only write about the good side of me because it will make some think that I am arrogant."

Latief successfully handles the city crime reporters, which number around 30, probably because of his heart as a village boy and a shepherd. He is a low-profile police officer.

"For me, you're my partners, not my personnel," he told the reporters. "If there's problem, it should be solved through dialog, not by accusing."

Based on a decree issued by the National Police Chief, Latief has been assigned head of the sub-agency for Documentation and Research on the Information Service since March. However, he has not yet been allowed to leave his post as City Police spokesman until today.

He will be replaced by Lt. Col. Bambang Haryoko, head of the treatment of youths and students unit of the City Police, in a ceremony today led by City Police Chief Maj. Gen. Mochammad Hindarto.

"I hope that he (Bambang) can do the task far better than me," Latief said.

Keep up the good work Colonel! (bsr)