Gus Dur seeks House help on police chief

Gus Dur seeks House help on police chief

JAKARTA (JP): President Abdurrahman "Gus Dur" Wahid requested
legislators by letter on Thursday to support him in installing
Comr. Gen. Chaeruddin Ismail as the National Police chief, the
National Police's spokesman said.

"The DPR received the presidential letter in the morning. To
the best of our knowledge, DPR Speaker Akbar Tandjung has clearly
said that the DPR could not give their immediate support
considering the time constraints and the fact that the special
session of the MPR (People's Consultative Assembly) is scheduled
for August 1," Insp. Gen. Didi Widayadi told The Jakarta Post on
Thursday.

According to the prevailing regulations, the appointment and
dismissal of a police chief must receive the prior approval of
the House of Representatives (DPR). The House has consistently
refused to approve the President's plan to promote Chaeruddin.

Separately, Akbar told reporters on Thursday: "We cannot give
our support within these time constraints. This matter needs to
be discussed first."

Police sources said it was likely that the President would
issue a decree on Friday appointing Chaeruddin to replace
National Police chief Gen. Surojo Bimantoro.

"It would be perfect timing should he issue a decree
disbanding the legislature at 6 p.m. on Friday. He would want his
handpicked man (Chaeruddin) to lead the National Police Force
when he issues the decree to disband the legislature so that he
could order him to do whatever he wanted, including manipulating
security conditions to his heart's content," a senior police
officer said.

When Bimantoro refused to obey the President's order for him
to step down, Abdurrahman issued a decree suspending Bimantoro.
He then revoked this decree, only to issue another one honorably
dismissing Bimantoro as police chief.(ylt/rms)