Dibyo Widodo installed as new city police chief

Dibyo Widodo installed as new city police chief

JAKARTA (JP): National Police Chief Gen. Banurusman Astrosemitro installed Brig. Gen. Dibyo Widodo yesterday as the new Greater Jakarta Police chief, replacing Maj. Gen. Mochammad Hindarto.

In his speech, Banurusman hoped the new city police chief will be able to build a strong, solid police force to fight against various types of crimes in the city, which have rapidly increased in number and method.

As Jakarta is prone to crimes and traffic accidents, "a solid and powerful team is needed," he said during the induction ceremony in the City Traffic Police Directorate parking lot.

Hindarto held the post from March 31, 1993. Prior to his retirement at the end of March at the age of 56, he is temporarily appointed as a senior police officer at the National Police Headquarters.

Dibyo was Hindarto's deputy from Sept. 13 last year. He spent several years of his police career in East Java, North Sumatra and Nusa Tenggara. He was an adjutant to President Soeharto for six years in the period between 1986 and 1992.

His former position as the Jakarta police deputy chief had been earlier handed over to Col. Hamami Nata, who is currently still the President's adjutant.

Dibyo is expected to be promoted to major general next week, following Armed Forces Commander Feisal Tanjung return from abroad.

Yesterday's ceremony was attended by a wide range of senior officers of the Armed Forces, politicians and noted figures. Included in these were Governor Surjadi Soedirdja, City Military Commander Maj. Gen. Wiranto and Wiranto's predecessor Maj. Gen. Hendropriyono.

A series of parades and attractions were performed by some of the city police personnel after the main program.

Comments

Even though there are still several cases which have yet to be solved, many have seen that Hindarto had achieved great successes during his two-year period as the Jakarta police chief. In particular his constructive breakthroughs in the fight against so-called "untouchable" criminals in the city.

The following are comments gathered by The Jakarta Post about Hindarto as a city police chief and as a public figure:

National Police Chief Gen. Banurusman Astrosemitro said that Hindarto "had succeeded in anticipating the trend of crime in the capital city. I highly appreciate that."

Newly-installed Greater Jakarta Police Chief Brig. Gen. Dibyo Widodo (Hindarto's successor): "He's my former instructor and I'll continue all his great plans, which have not been completed yet, such as building houses for city police personnel and his drive to fight all types of crime."

Head of the North Jakarta police precinct Lt. Col. Edi Darnadi: "He's good in many ways, particularly in his support for us and our personnel when we carry out operations. He likes to get along with us, making us, and especially our personnel, feel protected and appreciated by him as our superior."

Yorrys Raweyai, executive chairman of the powerful Pemuda Pancasila youth organization: "Every human being has positive and negative characteristics. I think he has recorded quite a number of successes in the fight against crime in this city, even though there still are some cases which have yet to be solved."

Prasetyo, a senior city crime reporter who has known Hindarto for over 15 years, since he was a low-ranking officer: "He was a good and helpful police officer to reporters because he was willing to answer any of our questions. If he could not or did not want to answer a question, he replied with a joke. That's why he has so many friends in the press."

First Sergeant Sigit Aquanto, his adjutant during his post as police chief: "Bapak (meaning Sir) rarely got upset and if he does, he never got very angry or says words in a harsh manner. He liked to talk with us, his adjutants. He always paid great attention to our welfare."

Chiquita Paramita Tri Novida Dewi, 20, Hindarto's only daughter: "He's a strict father. Even at home, he's still a police officer. For example, I'm never allowed to leave the house in the evening without being accompanied by my brother and I have to be home before 10 p.m. But, I really like him and his rules because I also don't want to see something bad happen to me which could have a negative impact on the whole family."

A female food vendor at city police headquarters: "I don't exactly know anything about him except what I read in the papers."

Dharma, 14, a junior student in North Jakarta: "He is similar to Hendropriyono (former Jakarta military commander), who liked to talk and chat with delinquent students, rather than give too much useless advice. (bsr)