Rusdihardjo disobeyed me, says President

JAKARTA (JP): President Abdurrahman Wahid on Friday said he fired National Police Chief Gen. Rusdihardjo because the general failed to obey an order to arrest Hutomo "Tommy" Mandala Putra.

Speaking in a public dialog after Friday prayers at Baiturrahim Mosque, located near Merdeka Palace, the President insisted that there should have been no difficulty in arresting the youngest son of former president Soeharto.

"I had ordered (the police) to question (Tommy), even to arrest him, but it was not obeyed. It was not obeyed. So I fired the police chief. There is no doubt about it," said the President.

The President's remarks came in response to a question from a resident from Tanah Abang, Central Jakarta, who attended the prayers.

The Tanah abang resident, named Rachmat, had appealed to Abdurrahman to curb his statements if he did not have proof and to stop "cornering" the Indonesian Military (TNI).

Speaking in a similar forum last week Abdurrahman announced that he had ordered the arrest of Tommy and Habib Ali Baagil.

At the time, Abdurrahman suggested that the two men might be linked to the bombing at the Jakarta Stock Exchange building.

Tommy was questioned the next day and released.

Three days later the President dismissed Rusdihardjo following the police chief's statement describing the President's order only as an expression of a strong wish.

The President seemed to backtrack on Friday from his earlier statement implying a link between Tommy and the bombings.

"It (the arrest) is not for the explosion case, but to prevent more bloodshed," Abdurrahman said without elaborating.

Abdurrahman asserted that he was resolute in his decision to fire Rusdihardjo and even challenged him to file a suit if the police general was dissatisfied with his dismissal.

In a clear reference to the dismissal of TNI deputy chief Gen. Fachrul Razi on Wednesday, the President said he had to start making major decisions because he had been too patient with the military.

"Am I not patient enough? For months they have stepped on our heads. Now it is time to take legal action," the President remarked.

Abdurrahman expressed confidence that the House of Representatives would approve the replacement of Rusdihardjo with Comr. Gen. Bimantoro.

He added that he would swear in Bimantoro as soon as he received approval from the House on Monday.

"DPR will discuss the issue and its decision will be to endorse Pak Bimantoro as new National Police chief," the President said confidently.

There was a light moment during the dialog, when a young man, who identified himself as Achmad Sanusi, raised his hand and said he spoke on behalf of the country's first president, Sukarno.

Abdurrahman laughed, when Achmad said: "I want to convey to you a resolution from our founding father, Sukarno".

However, Abdurrahman's confident remark on Bimantoro's endorsement by the House received mixed reactions from legislators.

At least two factions -- the Reform faction and the United Development Party (PPP) -- suggested on Friday that Abdurrahman propose more than one candidate.

"The House, at least the Reform faction, would not approve the appointment of Bimantoro," Reform faction chairman Hatta Radjasa remarked.

PPP's chairman Ali Marwan Hanan agreed with Hatta's view saying the House would first examine candidates' curriculum vitae and their past records.

"The President can not make such a fait a comply by deciding that the House would approve it by Monday," Ali, who is also the party's secretary-general, said. (jun/byg/prb)