Police delay decision on VCD case

Police delay decision on VCD case

Abdul Khalik and Apriadi Gunawan, The Jakarta Post,
Jakarta/Medan

The disciplinary committee looking into allegations of electoral
offenses against former Banyumas Police chief Sr. Comr. Andi
Mapparesa has decided to postpone handing down a decision due to
disagreements among its members.

National Police spokesman Insp. Gen. Paiman said Wednesday
that the members of the committee would continue to discuss the
case among themselves, and that they might solicit the views of
experts to help them reach agreement.

"They are still discussing their decision. The
committee members have different opinions over witness testimony.
Apparently, they will need experts to help them," said Paiman.

In a hearing last Wednesday, Mapparesa pleaded guilty
to abuse of power by urging family members of police personnel
and retired police officers to vote for President Megawati
Soekarnoputri during a meeting in Banyumas, Central Java, on May
29.

Committee chairman Comr. Gen. Binarto had earlier said that no
further hearings were necessary as Mapparea had already admitted
acting incorrectly.

Asked whether the delay was caused by possible intervention by
National Police chief Gen. Da'i Bachtiar, Paiman said that the
committee had been given full freedom to arrive at its decision
based on the evidence.

"It's just a matter of differing perceptions among the
committee members. They will decide as soon as they have heard
the opinions of the experts" he said.

He did not reveal who the experts or what their fields of
expertise were.

The committee, whose proceedings were open to the public, was
established after the Election Supervisory Committee (Panwaslu)
announced earlier that Mapparesa had violated the Constitution by
giving a speech in support of Megawati's candidacy.

Panwaslu also asserted that he had infringed the fundamental
principles of impartiality and fairness that police officers must
uphold during elections.

According to Article 28 of Law No. 2/2002 on the national
police, police officers must refrain from becoming involved in
politics.

The committee heard evidence from four witnesses, including
the Banyumas Police's deputy chief, Adj. Sr. Coms. Bambang
Yulianto, and the Banjarnegara Police chief Adj. Sr. Coms.
Widianto Pusako.

Meanwhile, the North Sumatra Panwaslu has formed a special
committee to investigate the alleged endorsement by the Medan
Police of Megawati during a meeting with students at a restaurant
on Jl. Adam Maliki on July 24.

Local Panwaslu chairman Choking Susilo Sakeh said the
committee was determined to get to the root of the case.

"We hope that the students will soon report the case to us as
we can't do anything until we receive their report. They don't
have to be afraid because we have police officers as members. We
will be independent," said Choking.

Student groups from various universities in Medan urged the
Panwaslu and the North Sumatra General Election Commission on
Monday to investigate the Medan Police as some of its officers
had attempted to sway the students in favor of voting for a
civilian presidential candidate.

Last Friday, the Yogyakarta Panwaslu questioned local police
chief Sr. Comr. Condro Kirono in a similar electoral violation
case after thousands of T-shirts bearing the images of Megawati
and her running mate, Hasyim Muzadi, were found in his office.