TEMPO.CO, Jakarta-The competition for the National Police chief post is heating up as the retirement age of Police Chief General Badrodin Haiti draws near. Deputy Police Chief Comr. Gen. Budi Gunawan and the National Narcotics Agency (BNN) Chief Comr. Gen. Budi Waseso are said to be the strongest candidates.
Aside from the two, there are five police officers with commissioner general rank who have the opportunity to secure the spot. They are Dwi Priyatno, Tito Karnavian, Putut Eko Bayu Seno, Syafruddin and Suhardi Alius. “However, Budi Gunawan and Budi Waseso are the strongest,” said a member of Legal Commission of the House of Representatives from the Indonesia Democratic Party of Struggle (PDIP) Junimart Girsang on Monday, June 6, 2016.
Junimart said the PDIP will leave the selection of Police chief to the President’s discretion. “The party has not yet decided on certain support for one candidate,” he said. The PDIP’s stance has soften a bit. Whereas in early 2015, the party was the most adamant over Budi Gunawan’s nomination.
Member of Commission III of the House of Representatives from Prosperous and Justice Party (PKS) Faction Aboe Bakar Alhabsyi considered that Budi Gunawan is worthy of Police chief post because Budi Gunawan has an accomplished background.
Deputy Chairman of Legal Commission from Democrat Faction Benny Kabur Harman said that Budi Gunawan’s legal status is currently clean. Benny also considered that Budi Waseso is the second figure that has the chance to become Police chief after Budi Gunawan. According to him, Budi Waseso has been performing well as the BNN Chief. “But it’s up to the President,” he said.
Yesterday, Coordinating Minister for Political, Legal and Security Affairs, who is also the Chairman of the National Police Commission (Kompolnas), Luhut Pandjaitan has reportedly submitted the names of Police chief candidates to President Joko Widodo. However, Luhut did not say much. He only said that Police chief will soon be announced.
HUSSEIN ABRI YUSUF | ISTMAN MP | AGUNG SEDAYU | ANTARA
