Plan to push Bimantoro to retire 'controversial'

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)