Two incidents, one after the other, hit National Narcotics Agency (BNN) deputy, Insp. Gen. Benny J. Mamoto. The first was a report from a woman named Helena, to the National Police Crime Division. The second incident was the theft of documents by former BNN investigator, Police Commissioner Albert Dedi. Yet, he seemed unfazed about it all when Tempo reporters Mustafa Silalahi, Febriyan and Aryani Kristanti met him at his office recently. This interview includes an earlier meeting with Tempo at the start of the month. Excerpts:
How do you comment on the recent two incidents that have dragged you down?
People who want me down are syndicate members who feel scared. If the syndicates are afraid, so are their thugs, so they have resorted to a number of ways out. I've had enough of threatening phone calls, I get tired of answering them. They would send them to angels, if they knew their addresses.
So, it's true there have been groups attacking you.
Many of them.
The report during the rounds is that your retirement was due but you refused to go, therefore some people are trying to look for faults in you.
This is what I need to clarify. The public shouldn't be getting confusing reports. Essentially, this is character assassination. It's true that on 1 July I was to be pensioned off. The BNN is an organization directly under the President's authority. To select echelon I (senior) staff, the Final Evaluation Team consists of a number of related ministers. The candidates are tested first, then one of them is picked and a Governmental Decision issued. That's the process. Then another presidential edict is issued, announcing my replacement. The question is, what about the deputy post position after my retirement? When a senior inspector has not found a replacement, he can continue working until after one is found. Another question is, why make a fuss over the deputy chief in charge of the eradication process? Why not the senior inspector himself?
So, as long as there are no presidential instructions, you can remain in office?
Yes, something like that. That was the instruction of the BNN chief, and that I should remain until a replacement is found.
The rumor was that Police headquarters had sent a classified telegram saying someone had been found to replace you.
Please read Police Chief Regulation No. 1/2013 which outlined the mechanism, requiring the BNN to consult with the Police. Usually it's the Position and Rank Board (Baperjakat) that determines who the candidates will be. If the candidate comes from within the police organization, it can be done by the National Police force. In the BNN letter to police headquarters, is there any mention of my replacement, or that we ask for Mr. so and so. After that, the results are sent to the Final Evaluation Team, where it will be questioned for the last time before the trial. What has happened is that there was a nominating letter before we could ask for one.
Shouldn't replacements be the BNN's prerogative, whether recruiting internally or from outside police circles?
The BNN is under the President's authority, not the police chief. This is what is often confusing. Before Law No. 35/2009 on Narcotics, the BNN was indeed under the police chief. In fact, the BNN chief was the police chief, and what we had here was just the executive officer. That was before Law No. 35/2009. When the BNN came under the President's jurisdiction, we became autonomous. Our relations with the police is more about coordination. We are not under the police chief, both in terms of carrying out our duties, our operations, our law enforcement people or even placing of personnel.
On the theft of documents by Police Comr. Albert, was that a planned job to bring you down?
Yes, that's how it looks.
Did someone order it?
Well, figure it out for yourself.
Is it true you received money from Helena?
Please ask Helena herself. What did I extort? I am aware that in my position and my hard stance against syndicates, I am sure to be targeted. If I had known that, would I extort money from them? That's insane.
The full interview is available in this week's edition of Tempo English.