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Indonesian Non-Active Police Chief Accused of Playing Off Wahid Against Megawati
Indonesian Presidential spokesman Yahya Staquf said the government relieved National Police Chief Gen. S. Bimantoro of his duties because of his tendency to involve in political activities, including playing off President Abdurrahman Wahid against Vice President Megawati Soekarnoputri.
"There are indications of Bimantoro's involvement in political activities, including his efforts to play off the president and vice president," Yahya told reporters at the presidential office on Sunday.
Fortunately, the vice president refused to take the bait, Yahya was quoted by the Jakarta Post.com online news service Monday as saying.
According to Yahya, the president made the statement following a police declaration rejecting the politicization of the National Police.
On Sunday, high-ranking police officers gathered at the National Police headquarters to declare their stance on Bimantoro' s removal and the political situation.
The declaration, signed by 102 officers, said the National Police rejects all forms of political interference in performing their roles and duties. Among the signatories was newly-appointed Deputy Police Chief Chaeruddin Ismail.
The president welcomed the declaration, Yahya said, adding that Wahid himself supported an independent police.
Separately, House of Representatives (DPR) Speaker Akbar Tandjung said DPR still recognized Bimantoro as the National Police chief because the government had not made a formal request to the House to replace him.
Speaking after attending the commemoration of Prophet Muhammad' s birthday at the state palace on Sunday night, Akbar said there were efforts to remove Bimantoro from his post.
By making Bimantoro non-active, the president had taken advantage of a loophole in a law regulating the appointment and dismissal of the National Police chief, Akbar was quoted by the Antara News Agency as saying.
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