'Security for MPR session still led by Gen. Bimantoro'

JAKARTA (JP): National Police deputy of operations Insp. Gen. Syachroeddin Pagar Alam said on Saturday that as chief of police operations for the Special Session of the People's Consultative Assembly, he still answered to Gen. Surojo Bimantoro.

"The police security operations Mantap Brata VIII, began on Tuesday and will most likely last until the end of the Special Session, depending on the situation. But since this operation was overseen and started by Gen. Bimantoro, I still have to answer to him directly," Syachroeddin told a media conference at National Police Headquarters.

As for the installation of Gen. Chaeruddin Ismail as caretaker National Police chief on Friday, Syachroeddin said that there was nothing to worry about as any police chief would uphold all plans which had already been discussed and prepared for execution.

"The National Police will provide security for all the activities of the legislature and the executive," he added.

A top police general who requested anonymity told The Jakarta Post on Saturday that should chaos occur during the Special Session, Bimantoro would ultimately take responsibility.

The National Police, however, remained eclipsed by dualism in its leadership on Saturday stemming from the dismissal of Bimantoro by President Abdurrahman Wahid and the appointment of Chaeruddin as caretaker police chief on Friday evening.

Chaeruddin on Saturday denied rumors that a reshuffle within police ranks would take place within days, particularly of those generals who had been vocal about Chaeruddin's appointment.

"There is no such (reshuffle) thing," Chaeruddin told reporters upon his arrival at the National Police Headquarters on Saturday.

Bimantoro sent Chaeruddin a huge bouquet of orchids and a note of congratulations on Saturday.

Chaeruddin added that there was no need to take firm action against police officers, including generals, who had a "difference of opinion" over the National Police leadership issue.

"Any differences can be bridged by meeting and talking ... why should I take stern action on people who hold different opinions?," he said.

"I've met with the generals and spoken with them. There's no problem. I also plan to meet with lower-ranking officers as well."

He added he did not need the symbolic staff-of-command to do his job as caretaker National Police Chief.

The command baton is normally handed over by an outgoing police chief to a newly installed police chief in an official ceremony, held at the National Police Headquarters.

The handover ceremony held by the police force is normally seen as a public declaration of who officially leads the force.

Gen. Bimantoro currently holds the command baton.

"The baton is only a symbol ... a habit. I can still do the job without it," Chaeruddin told reporters.

Separately on Saturday, city police chief Insp. Gen. Sofjan Jacob assured people that the Glodok electronics center in West Jakarta would be provided security to prevent a possible repetition of the destruction that hit the area during the May 1998 riots.

"Shop owners also have their own security guards and the city administration has also deployed their public order officers to secure the area," Sofjan said, after a visit to the area with city military commander Maj. Gen. Bibit Waluyo and Governor Sutiyoso.

Meanwhile, the city seemed undeterred by the political tension that was rising on Saturday. Life generally proceeded as usual.

Military and police officers could be seen at several key locations as a level 1 alert had been imposed across the capital.

Earlier on Friday night, clubgoers still packed the pubs and discotheques around the city, such as the Musro in Hotel Borobudur, Central Jakarta, where dozens of people even had to queue outside.

As of Saturday, shopping centers like Plaza Senayan in Central Jakarta were jam packed with visitors. They seemed immune to the political uncertainty.

"There have been too many rumors that riots will occur but nothing happened. So, why should we worry too much?" said a housewife named Lita.

People also crowded supermarkets like Carrefour in Ratu Plaza as they regularly do on weekends.

"To hell with the President and the Assembly. They don't care about the people in this country who are suffering," one shopper remarked.(ylt/hdn)