Nat'l police chief denies ‘intervening’ allegation

Jakarta, NU Online
National Police Chief Gen. Bambang Hendarso Danuri denied an allegation that the institution had intervened local police’s probe into violation in the East Java gubernatorial election.

He also denied accusation that the National Police had dismissed former East Java Police Chief Insp. Gen. Herman Surjadi for saying that the institution had intervened the case.<>

“On (Feb. 19), he (Herman) gave explanation as if there had been cheatings in the East Java gubernatorial election. I then sent the head of the criminal investigation department to East Java ,” Bambang told reporters on the sidelines of an Indonesia-Malaysia dialog at the State Palace .

“It appears that a suspect had been named before investigation were done. But I have ordered the East Java Police Chief (Herman) to continue the probe if crime had indeed taken place.

“So, that intervening accusation is not true. And he (Herman) was not dismissed because of his statement. He was supposed to enter retirement in May, and all I did was advancing the date into March,” Bambang added, as quoted by The Jakarta Post.

He said he applied the same retirement policy on four other provincial police chiefs, comprising those formerly heading the West Sumatra , Bengkulu, Bali and East Kalimantan Police Offices, all of who were made to retire in March although they were supposed to enter retirement age in May.

Bambang said it was his “prerogative right” as the National Police Chief to advance the retirement date. He said he did it mainly because he wanted their successors to have more time to “understand” and “prepare” their organizations to safeguard the upcoming elections. (dar)