House, police top brass 'in talks'

Kurniawan Hari, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta

Although President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono has not proposed candidates to replace National Police Chief Gen. Da'i Bachtiar, several legislators have met separately with three police top brass they are touting as potential nominees.

They three officers are Deputy National Police Chief Comr. Gen. Adang Dorodjatun, National Narcotics Agency head Comr. Gen. Makbul Padmanagara, and National Police Education and Training head Insp. Gen. Sutanto.

"We have held informal talks with the three officers to know of their plans for the job," lawmaker Djoko Edhie Abdurrahman said here on Friday.

He refused to identify fellow legislators attending the informal meetings.

Law No. 2/2002 on the National Police says the appointment of candidates for police chief is the President's prerogative. A candidate must go through House scrutiny to qualify for the post.

The law does not stipulate the length of a police chief's tenure. However, based on the existing tradition, a police chief generally occupies the post for three years with a possible extension.

The law sets the retirement age of top police officers at 58.

Following the induction of the United Indonesia Cabinet members on Oct. 21, President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono hinted at a plan to replace the incumbent police chief, Gen. Da'i Bachtiar, with a figure who would better support the policies of his administration.

While Da'i is only 55 years old he has already served three years after being sworn in by president Megawati Soekarnoputri in October 2001.

Rashid N. Lubis of the Police Watch said Susilo could replace the police chief soon. "But, the President has the right to extend the tenure," Rashid said.

Deputy chairman of the House's Commission III for security and justice M. Akil Mochtar said earlier Da'i's replacement would be one of the priority issues the commission would discuss.

Djoko Edhie suggested Susilo nominate only one candidate for the new police chief to avoid possible instances of bribery.

"If there is more than one candidate, they could try every means, including offering bribes, to win our endorsement," he said.

President Megawati proposed Da'i as her sole candidate for the police top post to the House.

Under the law on police, the House must approve a candidate no later than 20 days after a president officially submits the candidate.

Rashid, however, said it would be better if Susilo proposed more than one candidate to give lawmakers more choice in selecting the best candidate.