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.