Police chief change 'Hamami's request'

Police chief change 'Hamami's request'

JAKARTA (JP): National Police Commander Gen. Dibyo Widodo said
yesterday that the replacement of Maj. Gen. Hamami Nata as
Jakarta Police chief was totally unrelated to the fatal shooting
of four Trisakti University students on May 12.

Speaking at the installation ceremony for Maj. Gen. Noegroho
Djajoesman, Dibyo reiterated that Hamami's replacement was based
primarily on his own request and the policy of Armed Forces
Headquarters.

Dibyo said the replacement of senior officials within the
police force was expected to inject new spirit and improve their
service to the public.

"Police duty has gone far beyond its limits. It no longer
deals only with crime. Nowadays, our job is also being influenced
by other factors, such as political interests and other
nontechnical matters.

"Therefore, we must be ready to face this challenge. What we
face on the street is completely different from what we learn in
training. For instance, emotions, agony and fear were all jumbled
up inside a police officer's mind when confronted with angry
crowds.

"What we encountered during the recent student protests and
riots has given us valuable experience."

Dibyo congratulated the two generals, Hamami and Noegroho, and
wished them well in their new endeavours.

"General (Hamami), we've been through a lot together. You have
done the best you could to perform your duties as Jakarta Police
chief. And for that, I wish you luck and thank you so much."

"General (Noegroho), I believe you will have no difficulties
adjusting to your new duties, as you have lots of experience.
Welcome and good luck."

Various high-ranking officials, including Deputy Governor for
Administrative Affairs Brig. Gen. Abdul Kahfi, City Council
Speaker Maj. Gen. Edy Waluyo and National Police Detectives
Commander Maj. Gen. Nurfaizi attended yesterday's ceremony.

After the ceremony, Dibyo revealed to the media the names of
several senior officers who would undertake strategic police
duties as part of a massive reshuffle within the National Police.

Based on Minister of Defense/Armed Forces Decree No.
SKEP/380/P/V/1998, dated May 26 -- which authorized the
replacement of Hamami by Noegroho -- Maj. Gen Nurfaizi will be
assigned as Central Java Police chief and Brig. Gen. Da'i
Bachtiar as new National Police detectives commander.

Another ministerial decree, No. SKEP/329/P/V/1998 dated May
12, orders the transfer of 45 senior and middle-ranking police
officers.

Among them are Brig. Gen. Gunawan, currently deputy chief of
Jakarta Police, who will become Bali Police chief, Brig. Gen.
Mudji Santoso as South Sulawesi Police chief, Brig. Gen. Panji
Atmasudirja as head of South Sumatra Police and Col. Sutanto of
National Police Headquarters as deputy chief of Jakarta Police.

The handover ceremonies for remaining officers are scheduled
from May 30 to June 8.

Newly installed city police chief Noegroho told the media that
he needed the public's support.

When asked about the death of a Bandung Institute of
Technology (ITB) student which he was believed to be involved in
1971, Noegroho refused to comment.

"My first priority is to consolidate Jakarta Police. As you
know, it has been chaotic over the past two months. I need
people's support to carry on the duty," he said with a smile.

Former city police chief Hamami refused to talk to
journalists.

"No ... no ...," he said with a wave and a smile. "The truth
will speak for itself." (edt)