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)