TNI and police refuse to enforce decree

JAKARTA (JP): The Indonesian Military (TNI) and the National Police stated on Monday their refusal to enforce a presidential decree that would have suspended the People's Consultative Assembly, the House of Representatives and the Golkar Party.

Accompanied by the Military's top brass, TNI Commander Adm. Widodo A.S. said that since this January TNI had clearly indicated its stance that it would not support a presidential decree suspending or dissolving the legislature.

"All military personnel are to remain alert to anticipate any possible disturbances. Military personnel must not act outside the line of command and should maintain the Military's solidarity," Widodo told reporters at TNI Headquarters in Cilangkap, East Jakarta, on Monday.

At about 1 a.m. on Monday, Abdurrahman ordered the Military and the police to enforce his decree and prevent the Assembly from reconvening its Special Session.

However, instead of obeying the president's instruction, the Military and the police joined hand-in-hand with other major political parties to topple him through the Special Session.

On the possibility of a "twin presidency", Widodo said on Monday that the Military would leave it to the ongoing political process.

Separately, National Police spokesman Insp. Gen. Didi Widayadi said on Monday that ousted Abdurrahman, as a former president, would receive proper security and other treatment, as outlined by state protocol.

"Security arrangements for a president and former presidents are standard procedure. It is the duty of the National Police and TNI to provide security for state officials," Didi said.

Didi also announced that as of Monday, Gen. Surojo Bimantoro had resumed his duties as National Police chief.

"Our chief Gen. Bimantoro had been on leave. As of Monday, he fully resumes his post as National Police chief. There are no misunderstandings between him and National Police deputy chief Gen. Chaeruddin Ismail. The deputy knows where his place is, and what his duties are," Didi told reporters on Monday.

Bimantoro, a staunch supporter of Megawati, had earlier been vocal against a presidential decree ordering a state of emergency. He had been dismissed against the will of legislators, via a decree recently issued by Abdurrahman.

Abdurrahman then appointed his handpicked man, Gen. Chaeruddin Ismail, as caretaker National Police chief.

Didi told The Jakarta Post that one of Bimantoro's first duties, on Monday morning, was to issue an order for the police investigation of eight National Police middle-ranking officers, who had led some 150 middle-ranking police officers to stage a revolt against Bimantoro on July 9.

They were Sr. Comr. Bambang Widodo, Sr. Comr. Parlindungan Sinaga, Sr. Comr. Alfons Leomau, Sr. Comr. Nurdin Umar, Sr. Comr. Badaruzzaman Haidir, Sr. Comr. Herman Kotto, Sr. Comr. Banjar Nahor and Sr. Comr. Salihin. (ylt/tso)