Gus Dur dismisses Gen. Rusdihardjo

JAKARTA (JP): President Abdurrahman Wahid dismissed National Police chief Gen. Rusdihardjo on Monday, who he appointed to the position nine months ago.

The President did not clearly explain the firing but said: "In general, the situation requires the replacement of the National Police chief."

Abdurrahman appointed Rusdihardjo's deputy, Comr. Gen. Bimantoro, to temporarily take on the job, pending consultation between himself and the House of Representatives (DPR).

The President acknowledged that People's Consultative Assembly (MPR) Decree No. VII, issued in August, states that the appointment and replacement of the National Police chief requires the approval of the House.

Because of that, the President said he had only named Bimantoro as acting police chief.

"When carrying out the duties of the National Police chief, the National Police deputy chief is assigned for the position until the appointment of a new National Police chief gets approval from the DPR," Abdurrahman said at a media briefing.

Abdurrahman was accompanied by Cabinet Secretary Marsilam Simanjuntak and Military Secretary Rear Marshal Budhy Santoso.

Marsilam said the President's decision was made through a decree dated Sept. 18. He did not mention its number.

Abdurrahman summoned Rusdihardjo and Bimantoro to Merdeka Palace on Sunday evening and informed them about his decision.

Rusdihardjo returned to Jakarta on Sunday afternoon, after accompanying Vice President Megawati Soekarnoputri on a four-day trip to Papua New Guinea (PNG) and Irian Jaya.

The President refused to reply when a journalist asked whether Rusdihardjo's firing was in connection with the police's failure to catch the Jakarta Stock Exchange (JSX) bombers, and to realize his orders to arrest former president Soeharto's son "Tommy" Hutomo Mandala Putra over his alleged role in the attack.

Last Wednesday's stock exchange bombing, in which at least 11 people died, led to widespread calls for Rusdihardjo and Jakarta Police chief Insp. Gen. Nurfaizi to resign for their failure to maintain security and arrest the masterminds behind a number of recent blasts in the capital.

Born in Solo, Central Java, on July 7, 1945, Rusdihardjo has passed the retirement age of 55.

Speaking to journalists in Port Moresby, PNG, on Saturday, Rusdihardjo described the order to arrest Tommy as the President's "strong wish".

Rusdihardjo held a media conference on Monday after making a short visit to the Police Staff College (PTIK) in South Jakarta. He read a short prepared speech.

"I accept this decision with a big heart and sincerity because this is (one of) the prerogatives of the President that should be upheld," Rusdihardjo said.

The former senior police detective refused to comment further on his dismissal.

"I have tried with my utmost strength and tried to do my best (as police chief)," Rusdihardjo said.

He left the briefing in a hurry.

Tyasno

President Abdurrahman said he had met with Vice President Megawati and National Military (TNI) chief Adm. Widodo A.S. and told them about Rusdihardjo's dismissal.

He assured the admiral he would remain TNI chief.

"There is no plan as yet," he said when asked about Widodo's possible substitution.

Meanwhile, sources close to the President said Abdurrahman was set to replace Army chief Gen. Tyasno Sudarto.

One of the sources, who holds a senior position in the government, said Abdurrahman would soon issue a presidential decree dismissing Tyasno.

"Gus Dur has decided to replace Tyasno, although we still do not know about his successor," he told The Jakarta Post on Monday evening.

However, he mentioned Tyasno's deputy Lt. Gen. Endriartono Sutarto and Indonesian Military (TNI) chief of Territorial Affairs Lt. Gen. Agus Widjojo as strong candidates for the job.

Army spokesman Brig. Gen. F.X. Bachtiar denied the reports however, saying that Army Headquarters had yet to receive an official letter from the President about any such dismissal.

"However, the Army has no objections if the chief is replaced because it is the President's prerogative to do so," he said by phone. (prb/byg/jaw/dja/rms/imn)