Ex-police chief backs Bimantoro

JAKARTA (JP): President Abdurrahman Wahid's efforts to seek moral support from former National Police chief Hugeng Iman Santosa apparently proved fruitless when, during an almost-one- hour meeting between the two here on Saturday, Hugeng said that he saw no reason to fire Gen. Surojo Bimantoro.

The meeting between Abdurrahman and Hugeng took place at the latter's residence in Depok, some 30 kilometers south of here, when Abdurrahman visited Hugeng, who was known for his integrity when heading the National Police from 1968 to 1971.

Hugeng became a role model for police officers, and observers said that Hugeng's opinion should not be mistrusted.

Abdurrahman did not speak to reporters after the meeting, but as he left Hugeng's residence, Hugeng told reporters that "Bimantoro is a good police officer".

"I see no reasons to dismiss him from his (National Police chief) post. So he must go forward," the aging Hugeng said, citing Bimantoro's achievements in, among other things, narcotic- related cases.

The President's decision to fire Bimantoro and appoint Comr. Gen. Chaeruddin Ismail to take command of the day-to-day activities of the National Police has drawn controversy among the public and within the police force.

The President suspended Bimantoro earlier this month and later repealed the decree on suspension before issuing another decree to honorably dismiss Bimantoro as National Police chief.

Many police officers have pledged their support for Bimantoro, who had ignored the President's order to hand over his command baton.

Last Monday, 150 middle-ranking officers made rebellious statements against Bimantoro, who then took a 10-day leave starting on Tuesday.

Bimantoro's defiance has apparently damaged the President's popularity, which plummeted further after all political parties except his own turned down his invitation to meet in Bogor last Monday.

The schedule

The President's visit to Hugeng's residence on Saturday surprised some as he had been expected to lead the official ceremony of the installment of newly appointed Attorney General Marsillam Simanjuntak and Minister of Justice and Human Rights Mahfud MD.

The President was also scheduled to meet with middle-ranking police officers at 11 a.m. on Saturday.

Later on Saturday, the President denied that he had met with the police officers who had demanded that Bimantoro abide by the President's instruction.

"No, a meeting has never happened," Gus Dur said at a door- stop news conference after chairing a weekly meeting of his National Awakening Party (PKB) at its headquarters in South Jakarta.

Party sources say, however, that the President did meet with the police officers.

Presidential spokesman Wahyu Muryadi said the meeting had been postponed pending an appropriate time for the President.

Wahyu also claimed on Thursday that the President would attend the official installation of Marsillam and Mahfud on Saturday. (sur/tso)