Dian Kuswandini, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta | Tue, 09/23/2008 10:06 AM | Headlines
The House of Representatives on Monday approved Comr. Gen. Bambang Hendarso Danuri as the new National Police chief to replace Gen. Sutanto, who will retire early next month.
Bambang was elected unanimously to the top police post after undergoing about 10 hours of a fit-and-proper test earlier in the day before the House's Commission III, which oversees legal and human rights affairs.
All 10 factions in the commission accepted answers presented during the examination by the sole police chief candidate, nominated by President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono.
The commission's decision will be presented Tuesday to the House's consultative body before being endorsed at a House plenary session a day later.
Bambang, 56, who is currently the National Police chief of detectives, will hold the highest post in the police force until he retires in 2010.
Commission III gave full support to Bambang as the new police chief for his "commitment" to push for internal reform within the institution.
"But we remind (Bambang) that the police force is a state apparatus and not the government's tool of power," said Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDI-P) faction spokeswoman Eva Kusuma Sundari.
"The new National Police chief must reaffirm efforts to ensure a human face for the police as the protector and servant of the people."
A similar point was raised by the nine other factions in the House, including the Golkar Party, the National Mandate Party (PAN) and the Prosperous Justice Party (PKS).
"Bambang will be able to continue efforts made by his predecessor Sutanto (to boost the police's image). We see that he respects and values his seniors," said Golkar spokesman Aulia Rahman.
The three-star general hailed his unanimous election as a "mandate", pledging to "fix the culture" of the National Police, considered one of the most corrupt state institutions in the country.
"I'll take firm, indiscriminate measures against crimes, including those involving my own subordinates," Bambang said during the test.
"On the other hand, we will improve the police's public services. But we should always uphold human rights in carrying out our duties. I promise there will be no more arrogance within the police force."
Commission III chairman Trimedya Pandjaitan praised Bambang for his "good presentation" during the screening process.
Several legislators asked Bambang why the police considered their budget of up to Rp 25 trillion per year "insufficient".
In response, Bambang said the state should allocate a bigger budget in order to provide better salaries to police officers in a bid to prevent them from demanding illegal levies.
"We have conducted research that shows the ideal salary for a brigadier-level officer is around Rp 7 to 8 million per month. However, we're aware it's impossible for the state to grant this amount," he said.
Bambang also promised to fight corruption, illegal logging, illegal fishing and illegal mining, as well as conventional crimes such as robberies.
"The fight against illegal levies is one of my priorities. I promise there will be no such practice anymore. I'll set up a special team to handle this matter," he added.
Bambang also vowed to establish a national information center on crimes and to steer clear of political interference from outsiders.
"Bambang has a good track record, but what's important is that he fulfill all of his promises," said the PKS' Soeripto.
Bambang graduated from the National Police Academy in 1974, and was lauded by many observers for ordering the arrest of Rizieq Shihab, leader of the hard-line Islam Defenders Front (FPI) and Munarman, head of the Islam Defenders Force, for leading an attack on a pro-tolerance rally last June.
Another of his notable achievements was the arrest of former State Intelligence deputy chief Muchdi Purwopranjono as a suspect in the 2004 murder of human rights campaigner Munir Said Thalib.
While serving as North Sumatra Police chief, Bambang drew praise for successfully ordering the arrest of major illegal logging suspect Adelin Lis.
The House of Representatives on Monday approved Comr. Gen. Bambang Hendarso Danuri as the new National Police chief to replace Gen. Sutanto, who will retire early next month.
Bambang was elected unanimously to the top police post after undergoing about 10 hours of a fit-and-proper test earlier in the day before the House's Commission III, which oversees legal and human rights affairs.
All 10 factions in the commission accepted answers presented during the examination by the sole police chief candidate, nominated by President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono.
The commission's decision will be presented Tuesday to the House's consultative body before being endorsed at a House plenary session a day later.
Bambang, 56, who is currently the National Police chief of detectives, will hold the highest post in the police force until he retires in 2010.
Commission III gave full support to Bambang as the new police chief for his "commitment" to push for internal reform within the institution.
"But we remind (Bambang) that the police force is a state apparatus and not the government's tool of power," said Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDI-P) faction spokeswoman Eva Kusuma Sundari.
"The new National Police chief must reaffirm efforts to ensure a human face for the police as the protector and servant of the people."
A similar point was raised by the nine other factions in the House, including the Golkar Party, the National Mandate Party (PAN) and the Prosperous Justice Party (PKS).
"Bambang will be able to continue efforts made by his predecessor Sutanto (to boost the police's image). We see that he respects and values his seniors," said Golkar spokesman Aulia Rahman.
The three-star general hailed his unanimous election as a "mandate", pledging to "fix the culture" of the National Police, considered one of the most corrupt state institutions in the country.
"I'll take firm, indiscriminate measures against crimes, including those involving my own subordinates," Bambang said during the test.
"On the other hand, we will improve the police's public services. But we should always uphold human rights in carrying out our duties. I promise there will be no more arrogance within the police force."
Commission III chairman Trimedya Pandjaitan praised Bambang for his "good presentation" during the screening process.
Several legislators asked Bambang why the police considered their budget of up to Rp 25 trillion per year "insufficient".
In response, Bambang said the state should allocate a bigger budget in order to provide better salaries to police officers in a bid to prevent them from demanding illegal levies.
"We have conducted research that shows the ideal salary for a brigadier-level officer is around Rp 7 to 8 million per month. However, we're aware it's impossible for the state to grant this amount," he said.
Bambang also promised to fight corruption, illegal logging, illegal fishing and illegal mining, as well as conventional crimes such as robberies.
"The fight against illegal levies is one of my priorities. I promise there will be no such practice anymore. I'll set up a special team to handle this matter," he added.
Bambang also vowed to establish a national information center on crimes and to steer clear of political interference from outsiders.
"Bambang has a good track record, but what's important is that he fulfill all of his promises," said the PKS' Soeripto.
Bambang graduated from the National Police Academy in 1974, and was lauded by many observers for ordering the arrest of Rizieq Shihab, leader of the hard-line Islam Defenders Front (FPI) and Munarman, head of the Islam Defenders Force, for leading an attack on a pro-tolerance rally last June.
Another of his notable achievements was the arrest of former State Intelligence deputy chief Muchdi Purwopranjono as a suspect in the 2004 murder of human rights campaigner Munir Said Thalib.
While serving as North Sumatra Police chief, Bambang drew praise for successfully ordering the arrest of major illegal logging suspect Adelin Lis.
