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)