West Jakarta Police chief replaced

JAKARTA: The police announced on Thursday a minor reshuffle of senior police officers, including the replacement of West Jakarta Police chief Sr. Comr. Bambang Wasgito, who had earlier been questioned over his alleged involvement in extortion and abuse of power.

Bambang, who will be replaced by the current Tangerang Police chief, Sr.Comr. Herry Prastowo, was transferred to take charge of Unit V of the National Police Detectives' Unit First Directorate for Transnational Security.

Bambang was accused of abuse of power as well as extortion involving Chinese herbal medicine vendors and entertainment center owners in Glodok, West Jakarta.

Legislator Haryanto Taslam of the Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle had earlier confirmed the allegations by submitting copies of receipts for various transactions made out in Bambang's favor.

The National Police's internal affairs unit had questioned him and reportedly found that abuse of power had in fact taken place. Nevertheless, no overt sanctions have been imposed on him thus far.

However, National Police deputy chief Sr. Comr. Zainuri Lubis asserted that Bambang's transfer was part of a normal rotation of senior ranks, and denied it had anything to do with the extortion allegations.

In addition to Bambang, city police detectives' chief Sr. Comr. Andi Chaeruddin was appointed to a new position as the deputy chief of the National Police's Operations and Control Division. He will be replaced by Sr. Comr. Mathius Salempang. --JP