Sutanto interview open to public

Sutanto interview open to public

JAKARTA: The screening process for Brig. Gen. Sutanto, the
sole candidate for the post of National Police chief -- which is
scheduled for Monday at the House of Representatives, will be
open to the public, a lawmaker announced on Thursday.

Patrialis Akbar from the National Mandate Party (PAN) faction
said the decision had been agreed upon by House Commission III,
which will hold the hearings.

Previous interviews for officials nominated for top state and
government posts had always been done during closed-door
meetings.

Patrialis said that ahead of the interview of Sutanto, people
would be given a chance to give information and data on the
police chief candidate.

Patrialis also said 11 members of Commission III visited
Sutanto's home in Jakarta on Thursday ahead of the official
hearings.

The visit was aimed at making sure Sutanto's family was
prepared to allow him to assume the tough job as the new police
chief, Patrialis added.

Such a meeting, he said, was normally held by House members as
part of similar screening processes for other candidates
nominated as government agency heads. --Antara