Rift among police displayed over dual leadership

Rift among police displayed over dual leadership

JAKARTA (JP): National Police chief Gen. Surojo Bimantoro had
reportedly cut short his minor haj pilgrimage and returned to the
capital on Tuesday, after receiving news that there had been a
near clash among his middle-ranking officers.

The incident reportedly started with two officers arguing
about whether Bimantoro, or National Police deputy chief Comr.
Gen. Chaeruddin Ismail, would lead a police briefing linked to a
ceremony in observance of the 55th anniversary of the National
Police force on July 1.

Bimantoro had left for the minor haj pilgrimage on June 22 and
was due to return a week later.

National Police spokesman Insp. Gen. Didi Widayadi confirmed
on Wednesday that Bimantoro returned after hearing the news about
the incident on Monday. He refused to elaborate.

Sources said the incident occurred at the National Police
Detachment Division (Denma).

"Brig. Gen. Rifai Siregar of the National Police internal
affairs had ordered Denma Chief Adj. Sr. Comr. Wagio to announce
that Chaeruddin would lead the briefing on the dress rehearsal of
the police anniversary ceremony," a police official who requested
anonymity told reporters.

Wagio made the announcement, but a few minutes later, he made
another announcement, saying Bimantoro would lead the briefing,
he said.

"Rifai, who was obviously angry, went up to Wagio and
reportedly pulled Wagio by the collar, and was reportedly about
to hit Wagio in the face."

Separately, top officials at the National Police Headquarters
said on Wednesday that a rift had always been present between the
National Police Academy graduates of year 1970, and 1971.

Chaeruddin is a 1971 graduate, while Bimantoro graduated in
1970.

Confusion reigned in the halls of the National Police
Headquarters on Wednesday, when Didi and Bimantoro ended up
making two differing statements.

Instructions

Didi said that upon arrival at the airport on Tuesday,
Bimantoro had reportedly issued two verbal instructions to
National Police official Brig. Gen. Logan Siagian.

"The first was to formally request the Supreme Court to issue
a decree, particularly in connection with the recently issued
Presidential Decree No. 77/2001, which reinstates the post of the
National Police deputy chief," Didi said.

"Second, to file a lawsuit at the State Administrative Court
(PTUN) against three presidential decrees, which concern the dual
leadership."

Didi identified the three decrees as Presidential Decree No.
No. 54/2001, which had abolished the post of National Police
deputy chief; Presidential Decree No. 40/2001 on the appointment
of the National Police deputy chief and Presidential Decree No.
41/2001, on the suspension of the National Police chief.

These statements were however denied, by the National Police
chief.

"I never gave such instructions ... I have spoken to the
National Police spokesman about this matter. I just want things
to cool down," Bimantoro said.

Earlier on Tuesday, Didi had said that the National Police is
scheduled to formally request the Supreme Court to issue a decree
in connection with Presidential Decree No. 77.

"This formal request will be made in a few days. The current
dual leadership at the National Police, has frankly confused the
police force. It is not healthy," Didi said on Tuesday.

Abdurrahman had recently suspended Bimantoro from his post for
defying a presidential order to resign as National Police chief,
and had appointed Chaeruddin to take over Bimantoro's
duties.(ylt)