Police tightlipped over ex-boss probe

Police tightlipped over ex-boss probe

JAKARTA (JP): Officers at the National Police Headquarters were tightlipped on Tuesday about the questioning of former National Police chief, Gen. Roesmanhadi, over his alleged involvement in the embezzlement of Rp 300 billion (US$33.7 million) from a police fund.

None of the officers, including those at the information unit, were willing to speak about the interrogation of Roesmanhadi, who led the police force from 1998 until recently.

The interrogation was supposed to be carried out on Tuesday according to a statement from National Police Chief Gen. Rusdihardjo on Monday.

Sr. Supt. Saleh Saaf from the information unit admitted that police interrogators had scheduled sessions with Roesmanhadi and several senior police officers in connection with their suspected roles in the massive embezzlement of the police funds.

"But the schedule is for our interrogators, not for press consumption," Saleh said.

Following a meeting with Attorney General Marzuki Darusman, Rusdihardjo on Monday said the police would question Roesmanhadi on Tuesday.

Saleh said the police officers would be questioned as witnesses, but chances to declare them as suspects would remain open if incriminating evidence was found.

"The police are following up a report lodged by Inspector General of the Ministry of Defense Lt. Gen. Soeharto about the mismanagement of the National Police's 1999/2000 Crash Fund," he said.

Soeharto requested the questioning of Roesmanhadi, former National Police chief's assistant for planning Insp. Gen. Adang Daradjatun and chief of the National Police treasury Brig. Gen. Darmadji S.W. over the misuse of the fund. (asa)