Police unveil major reshuffle, no political motive involved

JAKARTA (JP): National Police Headquarters announced on Tuesday a major reshuffle involving 31 high-ranking police officers, including those from the strife-hit provinces of Aceh and Maluku.

"There is no political motive behind the police reshuffle. It's just a normal tour of duty and tour of territories in the national police headquarters," National Police deputy spokesman Col. Deddy SK said.

"Some of the officers have retired, while others have moved to higher posts."

Deputy chief of the Aceh Police Col. Sumantyawan Hadidojo Soedardjo, 50, will replace Brig. Gen. Bahrumsyah Kasman, 51, as Aceh Police chief.

Bahrumsyah was known for his criticism of the handling of security in Aceh.

"We will proceed with the existing repressive pattern but this time we aim for accurate targets, especially criminals and armed gangs that possess illegal weaponry," Bahrumsyah said on May 11, one day before the signing of a peace accord in Geneva between Jakarta and the Free Aceh Movement separatist rebels.

A total of 800 criminals, armed gangs and separatist rebels are being targeted in the third phase of Operation Sadar Rencong III which began in February and will end in June. At least 17 people have died since the peace pact was signed.

Bahrumsyah will replace Hotman Siagian, 54, as East Kalimantan Police chief.

Hotman himself will become a member of the expert staff of National Police chief Lt. Gen. Rusdihardjo.

Chief of the elite Mobile Brigade (Brimob) Brig. Gen. Firman Gani, 48, will replace Brig. Gen. I Dewa Ketut Gede Astika, 52, as Maluku Police chief.

Dewa will be posted as National Police detective chief of special crimes, replacing Brig. Gen. Made Mangku Pastika.

Made is being promoted to the post of secretary of the National Central Bureau of Interpol, taking over from Brig. Gen. James Daniel Sitorus, 52.

James is promoted to Police Academy governor, while outgoing governor Maj. Gen. Ahwil Lutan will retire.

Riau Police chief Brig. Gen. Mohammad Arifin Rachim, 51, will be replaced by South Sumatra deputy police chief Col. Maman Supratman, 51.

Mohammad will become a member of the expert staff to Rusdihardjo.

National Police Forensic Laboratory (Puslabfor) chief Brig. Gen. Suwahyu, 55, retired and his post will be filled by Yogyakarta deputy chief Col. Erwin Mappaseng, 52.

National Police deputy chief of detectives Brig. Gen. Fauluaro Zaluchu, 55, has retired, with his post to be filled by Brig. Gen. Engkesman Rangkeong Hillep, 52, who is the outgoing National Police detective chief of special crimes.

Separately, chief of Pattimura Military Command overseeing Maluku Brig. Gen. Max Tamaela welcomed the appointment of Firman Gani as the new Maluku Police chief.

"I have no comments about him. But, I really hope that we can establish good cooperation in handling unrest here, especially because of his Brimob background," Tamaela said after a coordination meeting between provincial councillors and Maluku Governor Saleh Latuconsina on Tuesday.

"Brimob has always been well accepted here." (49/edt/ylt)