Dual police leadership remains

Dual police leadership remains

JAKARTA (JP): The present dual leadership of the National
Police remains, with suspended National Police chief Gen. Surojo
Bimantoro denying reports that he will accept a new position in
the government.

Nevertheless, Bimantoro promised that he would seek a peaceful
solution to the leadership row with his new deputy, Comr. Gen.
Chaeruddin Ismail, whom President Abdururahman Wahid had tasked
to take over all responsibilities from Bimantoro.

"Chaeruddin and I are cooperative in seeking a peaceful
solution to the row, and I'm optimistic that both of us will find
the best solution," he said at a hearing with the House of
Representatives' Commission I on defense, security and foreign
affairs

As of Wednesday, newly-installed National Police deputy chief
Comr. Gen. Chaeruddin Ismail occupies a huge office on the third
floor of the main building at the National Police headquarters,
one floor above Bimantoro's office, which is on the second floor
of the same building.

Chaeruddin's office, like Bimantoro's office, is guarded by
officers of the National Police internal affairs.

Chaeruddin reportedly spent most of Wednesday morning
receiving a number of police generals at his office, before
leaving the building at 1 p.m.

Speaking at the hearing, Bimantoro also denied reports that he
would take early retirement and occupy a new position outside the
National Police.

"I want to clarify in this meeting that I have no intention to
retire early from the National Police, and no intention to accept
any new position outside the National Police, as I'm enjoying my
present job," he said.

Bimantoro was referring in particular to a statement made by
Coordinating Minister for Politics, Social and Security Affairs
Gen. (ret) Agum Gumelar on Tuesday that Bimantoro would take
early retirement next month and get a new position in the
government.

Agum reiterated on Wednesday that the appointment of
Chaeruddin as the National Police deputy chief was part of a
process to bring new blood into the police force as Bimantoro
will enter his mandatory retirement age very soon.

"The National Police will abide by official procedures that
require the appointment of a new chief of National Police at this
time," he said, after meeting with House leaders over his
appointment as top security minister.

Agum, who has occupied several strategic positions in the Army
in the past, warned that the leadership row at the National
police must end immediately as all police officers, like all
soldiers, are under command and must be loyal to their superior.

"Soldiers and police officers are principally under command.
They must abide by their superior's orders and they are not
allowed to bargain," he said.

On Tuesday, he called for harsh sanctions against police
generals who were found to be disloyal to their leadership and
those who were involved in subversion.

"Strict sanctions must be taken against subordinates who are
found to be disloyal to their superior's instructions," he said.

He noted that the dual leadership at the National Police could
have a negative impact on the police's internal organization and
to the service they provide to the public, especially in terms of
security, order and law enforcement.

Bimantoro denied that he had defied the President's order on
his suspension, saying that he was ready to be discharged from
his position, provided it was conducted in accordance with
existing regulations.

"What I am rejecting is submitting my letter of resignation. I
won't resign without an accountability on my performance over the
last two years, especially the recent incident in Pasuruan," he
said.

The President said recently that Bimantoro's suspension had
something to do with the killing of one of his supporters
demonstrating in Pasuruan, East Java.

Bimantoro also said that his meeting with 94 high-ranking
police officials at the National Police Headquarters over the
weekend was aimed at solidifying the one-line command among units
in the National Police.

"Besides, police officials were asked not to be trapped by
politics and to take strict action against civil unrest. All
these instructions must be complied with in order to avoid
confusion among members of the public," he said. (rms/ylt)