Police chief put in the dock by NTT religious leaders
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.