Plan to push Bimantoro to retire 'controversial'

JAKARTA (JP): President Abdurrahman Wahid's reported plan to issue a presidential decree ordering National Police chief Gen. Surojo Bimantoro's early retirement would prove to be a controversial decision, the National Police spokesman said on Friday.

"That decision will prove to be controversial, because our police chief will retire on Nov. 3 anyway. Would this (decision) not be equivalent to firing the police chief...?" Didi Widayadi said at National Police Headquarters.

"Nobody should make police officers question who they should answer to. They should know this because they are forced to make very tough decisions in the field."

Didi said the National Police had heard rumors that a presidential decree would be soon forwarded to them.

"As long as the correct procedures are taken, our police chief will accept it with an open mind," Didi said.

Sources in the National Police have stated that Abdurrahman will push for Bimantoro's early retirement, possibly even before the special session of the People's Consultative Assembly scheduled for Aug. 1.

The issue of who is leading Indonesia's 200,000-strong police force was left in a state of uncertainty after the President suspended Bimantoro and appointed Comr. Gen. Chaeruddin Ismail to the resurrected post of National Police deputy chief.

Bimantoro was suspended after he refused Abdurrahman's attempts to dismiss him.

Nearly 100 top police generals have pledged their support for Bimantoro and continue to report to him.

In Balikpapan, National Police secretary-general Comr. Gen. Yun Mulyana said on Friday that pushing for Bimantoro's early retirement could be viewed as an effort by Abdurrahman to end the dualism in the National Police leadership.

"It could be an effort to end the dualism... which so far has confused police forces nationwide," Yun said following the installation ceremony of Brig. Gen. Silvanus Yulian Wenas as the new East Kalimantan Police chief.

"The post of the National Police deputy chief is actually nonexistent, according to a presidential decree that was recently issued. So it has been a big question mark for all of us as to why a National Police deputy chief was appointed."

According to rumors circulating at the National Police Headquarters, the Wanjakti Rank and Position Board will forward six candidates to become the new police chief. These candidates reportedly include Yun Mulyana, Insp. Gen. Ahwil Lutan and Insp. Gen. Noegroho Djajoesman.

This senior board of police officers usually proposes candidates they consider most eligible for high-ranking positions, such as National Police chief. (ylt)