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)