Dian Kuswandini, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta | Thu, 09/25/2008 10:09 AM | National
Newly-elected National Police chief Comr. Gen. Bambang Hendarso Danuri reaffirmed his commitment Wednesday to eradicating illegal levies in a move to push for an institutional reform within his corps.
“The fight against illegal levies is one of my top priorities. Other disgraceful behaviors (among police officers) have stemmed from such practices,” he said at the House of Representatives.
“Therefore, combating illegal levies, including those imposed on the streets and at police public service centers, would prevent other illicit practices within the institution.”
Bambang said he would set up a special operational team to assist in eradicating illegal levies.
“The team will comprise members of both the police intelligence unit and professionalism and security division.”
Bambang made the statement shortly after a House plenary session during which he was formally endorsed as National Police chief. He will replace Gen. Sutanto, who retires next month.
Some 270 legislators from all 10 factions attending the meeting offered Bambang their full support, after Trimedya Pandjaitan, head of the House’s Commission III overseeing legal affairs, had read out the results of Bambang’s “fit-and-proper” test on Monday.
The report outlined the programs and priorities that Bambang has proposed for his tenure.
“The House will send an official letter to President Bambang Yudhoyono, asking for Bambang’s immediate installment,”
House chairman Agung Laksono told the plenary session, which also officially announced the replacement of Sutanto.
Bambang, the current police head of criminal investigations, was nominated by the President as the sole candidate for national police chief.
Bambang also said he would continue programs introduced by his predecessor.
Citing crimes that must be most pressingly dealt with, Bambang listed gambling, illegal logging, illegal fishing, illegal mining, corruption and conventional crimes, including drug abuse and security threats.
“But still, in general, the police will show their dual nature; their firm and humane sides,” the three-star general said.
Bambang said he would take firm and indiscriminate measures to oppose crimes, including those involving his own subordinates.
He also vowed to improve the image of the police by improving public services and upholding human rights.
Bambang, 56, will serve as chief of police until he retires in 2010.
A Graduate of the National Police Academy in 1974, Bambang is acclaimed for arresting former State Intelligence Agency deputy chief Muchdi Purwopranjono for his alleged murder of human rights campaigner Munir Said Thalib in 2004.
He has also received praise for ordering the arrest of Rizieq Shihab, a leader of the hard-line Islam Troop Command and Munarman, head of the Islam Defenders Force, for leading an attack on a pro-tolerance rally in June.
During his tenure as North Sumatra Police chief, Bambang was lauded for arresting illegal logging suspect Adelin Lis.
Newly-elected National Police chief Comr. Gen. Bambang Hendarso Danuri reaffirmed his commitment Wednesday to eradicating illegal levies in a move to push for an institutional reform within his corps.
“The fight against illegal levies is one of my top priorities. Other disgraceful behaviors (among police officers) have stemmed from such practices,” he said at the House of Representatives.
“Therefore, combating illegal levies, including those imposed on the streets and at police public service centers, would prevent other illicit practices within the institution.”
Bambang said he would set up a special operational team to assist in eradicating illegal levies.
“The team will comprise members of both the police intelligence unit and professionalism and security division.”
Bambang made the statement shortly after a House plenary session during which he was formally endorsed as National Police chief. He will replace Gen. Sutanto, who retires next month.
Some 270 legislators from all 10 factions attending the meeting offered Bambang their full support, after Trimedya Pandjaitan, head of the House’s Commission III overseeing legal affairs, had read out the results of Bambang’s “fit-and-proper” test on Monday.
The report outlined the programs and priorities that Bambang has proposed for his tenure.
“The House will send an official letter to President Bambang Yudhoyono, asking for Bambang’s immediate installment,”
House chairman Agung Laksono told the plenary session, which also officially announced the replacement of Sutanto.
Bambang, the current police head of criminal investigations, was nominated by the President as the sole candidate for national police chief.
Bambang also said he would continue programs introduced by his predecessor.
Citing crimes that must be most pressingly dealt with, Bambang listed gambling, illegal logging, illegal fishing, illegal mining, corruption and conventional crimes, including drug abuse and security threats.
“But still, in general, the police will show their dual nature; their firm and humane sides,” the three-star general said.
Bambang said he would take firm and indiscriminate measures to oppose crimes, including those involving his own subordinates.
He also vowed to improve the image of the police by improving public services and upholding human rights.
Bambang, 56, will serve as chief of police until he retires in 2010.
A Graduate of the National Police Academy in 1974, Bambang is acclaimed for arresting former State Intelligence Agency deputy chief Muchdi Purwopranjono for his alleged murder of human rights campaigner Munir Said Thalib in 2004.
He has also received praise for ordering the arrest of Rizieq Shihab, a leader of the hard-line Islam Troop Command and Munarman, head of the Islam Defenders Force, for leading an attack on a pro-tolerance rally in June.
During his tenure as North Sumatra Police chief, Bambang was lauded for arresting illegal logging suspect Adelin Lis.