Officers grilled over insubordination
JAKARTA (JP): Police internal affairs and intelligence continued on Wednesday to grill eight mid-ranking police officers over insubordination charges.
The officers had allegedly led some 150 middle-ranking police officers to stage a revolt against National Police Chief Gen. Surojo Bimantoro on July 9.
"The National Police would like to check the possibility that these men could have conducted a violation, particularly on the matter of statements they had recently made to the general public, about internal conditions in the police," Bimantoro told reporters.
The officers had declared Bimantoro disobedient and had demanded that he comply with presidential orders issued by then president Abdurrahman Wahid to vacate his post.
"At home itself, there are some rules to follow, before expressing oneself. In any organization or institution rules are followed before expressing oneself," Bimantoro said smilingly.
Bimantoro on Monday issued an order for the questioning of the eight defiant officers.
They were identified as Sr. Comr. Bambang Widodo, Sr. Comr. Parlindungan Sinaga, Sr. Comr. Alfons Leomau, Sr. Comr. Nurdin Umar, Sr. Comr. Badaruzzaman Haidir, Sr. Comr. Herman Kotto, Sr. Comr. Banjar Nahor and Sr. Comr. Salihin.
Alfons, the last officer to finally show up at National Police Headquarters on Wednesday, told reporters that he did not fear the questioning.
"I believe that this is a lawful country. I wish to prove my accusers wrong. I want my rights defended," Alfons, accompanied by lawyers Paska Gianto and Sucimateo, told reporters.
Once investigations into the eight officers are completed, the results will reportedly be handed to the Officers Honor Council (DKP), which will decide on the appropriate sanctions that could be taken against the officers.
Asked if National Police deputy chief Gen. Chaeruddin Ismail would be given similar treatment to the eight mid-ranking officers, Bimantoro said: "No... he will just be asked questions (informally)."
A senior police general, who requested anonymity, told The Jakarta Post on Wednesday that police were conducting internal investigations on Chaeruddin. (ylt)