TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - President Joko Widodo finally made a bold move. He picked the chief of the National Counterterrorism Agency, Comr. Gen. Tito Karnavian, as the sole candidate for the National Police chief position. If the House of Representatives (DPR) approves, Tito will succeed the incumbent police chief, Gen. Badrodin Haiti, who is retiring.
Tito was the top graduate of the Military Academy in 1987. Five years later, he earned a doctorate in strategic studies from the Nanyang Technological University in Singapore. Highlights of his career included the arrests of Tommy Suharto, former President Suharto's son who ordered the murder of Supreme Court judge Syafiuddin Kartasasmita, and killing terrorist Noordin M. Top as well as the crackdown on the terrorist group led by Dr. Azahari.
After leading Detachment 88, the National Police's counterterrorism squad, Tito was appointed as the Papua regional police chief in 2012 before being transferred back to Jakarta to head the Jakarta Police last year. On March 16, less than a year on the job, the President promoted him to head the National Counterterrorism Agency, earning him one more star.
Tito's achievements notwithstanding, some may question his lack of seniority within the police force. By choosing Tito, President Jokowi passed over other more senior officers. Tito's name was not even on the list proposed by the police promotion board. The list contained three names: Comr. Gen. Budi Gunawan (Class of 1983), Comr. Gen. Budi Waseso (Class of 1984) and Comr. Gen. Dwi Priyatno (Class of 1982). Subsequently, however, Tito was the candidate proposed by the National Police Commission to the President.
Jokowi's choice is commendable as it proves he dared to pass over candidates promoted by political parties, particularly the Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDI-P). After all, in line with the Law No. 2/2002 on the Police, it is the Police Commission, not the police promotion board, that holds the right to propose candidates.
Moreover, seniority should not really matter. Article 11, paragraph 6 of the Police Law says, "Candidates for the National Police chief position are senior Indonesian police officers who actively serve according to their ranks and career paths." As for ranks, the law only stipulates, "Those holding the highest rank under the police chief are qualified to be candidates," without elaborating on age or seniority.
If appointed, Tito, at 51 years of age, will be a relatively young National Police chief, but not the youngest. The police force was once headed by Dibyo Widodo, who was 50 when he took office in 1996. More importantly, Tito must prove that he is the right and capable leader. As he will command generals who are more senior to him, he must deftly manage the seniority culture that is deeply rooted within the police force.
An even bigger challenge is the critical need to rid the police force of collusion, corruption and nepotism, for long the plague of the institution. Tito must maintain his independence by distancing himself from politicians and fraudulent businessmen who in the past colluded with police officials. He must restore the good name of the police force as an institution capable of safeguarding the rights of civilians, including the right to carry out their activities such as discussions and fora.
Tito is Jokowi's top choice. But once approved by the House of Representatives, Tito must prove that the President has made the right choice. (*)
Read the full story in this week's edition of Tempo English Magazine
