Police chief put in the dock by NTT religious leaders
Yemris Fointuna, The Jakarta Post, Kupang
A number of religious leaders descended upon the East Nusa Tenggara legislative council building on Wednesday, demanding that a newly appointed police chief be dismissed for allegedly backing illegal practices.
North Timur Tengah Police chief Adj. Sr. Comr. Puji Santoso, who was sworn in two months ago, should be removed from office, the leaders said, accusing him of protecting gambling practices and extorting residents for money.
The protesting Christian, Catholic and Islam figures also said that Puji had also spread rumors that could incite ethnic and religious conflicts in North Timor Tengah.
The demonstrators claimed they represented hundreds of thousands of people in the regency, which borders East Timor, and that they received complaints from many local residents about the police chief.
"As religious figures, we feel disturbed because a district police chief, who should have enforced the law, protects and cooperates with gambling mafia," church leader Gabriel Manek told councillors who received the protesters in Kupang, East Nusa Tenggara.
North Timor Tengah's Indonesian Ulemas Council (MUI) chief Umar Sage echoed Gabriel's statement.
Efforts of local religious leaders to help combat gambling and extortion, and prevent ethic or sectarian conflicts in the regency would be fruitless, should relevant authorities not take action against Puji.
"We don't want our region chaotic due to the immoral behavior of a high-ranking police officer," added Catholic leader Aloysius Peri from the Atambua diocese.
The protesters urged the provincial police to immediately dismiss Puji and replace him with a new police chief who respects the law, embraces nationalism and is committed to fighting gambling.
According to the religious figures, they received reports that the North Timor Tengah Police chief was involved in gambling in a horse race and often approached traders and businessmen and took whatever he wanted.
Also, some police officers reported that Puji discriminated against his subordinates who were a different ethnic and religion to him.
Puji could not be reached at his office or residence to respond to the allegations on Wednesday. Police officers said Puji was out of town on an official assignment.
East Nusa Tenggara Police chief Brig. Gen. Edward Aritonang vowed to punish Puji if he was proven to have committed any illegal acts.
"I will verify the report. But I believe the accused police chief did not extort residents, protect gambling mafia and incite ethnic and religious rumors at his office," Edward added.
He argued that district police chiefs have repeatedly been warned against tarnishing their force's image among the public, or otherwise, they would sternly be dealt with.