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

'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)