Nivell Rayda, Anita Rachman, Armando Siahaan & Farouk Arnaz, Jakarta – Despite being President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono's sole nominee for National Police chief, Comr. Gen. Timur Pradopo may have to go through the eye of a needle to earn the House of Representatives' stamp of approval.
Syarifuddin Sudding, deputy chair of the People's Conscience Party (Hanura) faction in the legislature and a member of House Commission III overseeing security, said the former Jakarta Police chief had some explaining to do.
He cited the deadly gang clashes outside the South Jakarta District Court last week and the "impression" that Timur had let the situation slip out of control.
The House is set to conduct its final review over the next two weeks, with Timur to be approved or rejected for the post at a House plenary session.
Another sticking point appears to be Timur's alleged involvement in the May 1998 shooting of students at Trisakti University when he was West Jakarta Police chief, and November shooting of students in Semanggi that same year, when he headed the Central Jakarta Police. Officers were implicated in both cases.
Human rights activists cite these incidents as reasons why the House should reject him. "Timur's nomination is irrational," said Al Araf, program director for rights group Imparsial.
The National Commission on Human Rights (Komnas HAM), which investigated the incidents, said it had summoned Timur for questioning three times but he refused to cooperate. "We fear that if Timur is selected, these cases will never be resolved," Al Araf said.
Golkar Party legislator Azis Syamsuddin, a deputy chairman of Commission III, rated Timur's chances as 50-50 and confirmed the candidate would be asked to explain his role in the 1998 shootings.
Ahmad Yani, from the United Development Party (PPP) and another member of Commission III, said Timur's bank accounts and records with the Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) would be examined thoroughly.
The KPK's latest records show that Timur had a net worth exceeding Rp 2.1 billion ($235,000) as of 2008. The majority of his wealth was in real estate in the Tangerang area valued at Rp 1.3 billion, which he said was inherited. He also has four cars worth Rp 340 million, with the rest of his wealth in cash, bank deposits and precious stones and metals.
Another issue that could be examined by the House was Timur's sudden promotion on Monday to the rank of a three-star general, a move that made him eligible to become National Police chief.
"The president needs to explain to the House Timur's fast-tracked promotion before House Commission III reviews his nomination," said Gayus Lumbuun, from the Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDI-P).
According to the law, the president is required to explain his reasons for nominating candidates for the post.
Fahri Hamzah, from the Prosperous Justice Party (PKS) and a deputy chairman of House Commission III, said Timur's sudden promotion and nomination could raise suspicions that the top police post was being politicized.
Meanwhile, senior officials from the National Police gathered on Tuesday at the Police College (PTIK) to lend their support to Timur's nomination.
"There is nothing left to discuss now," said Insp. Gen. Iskandar Hasan, a spokesman for the force. "We have to fully support the new police chief."
Iskandar said Timur was not involved in the 1998 shootings. "This is a legal case. The process was followed and Pak Timur was declared innocent," he said.
Timur, who was also at the gathering, said that if his candidacy were approved, he would continue outgoing National Police Chief Gen. Bambang Hendarso Danuri's programs.
"God willing, I will continue [Bambang's programs] but my focus now is on my position as the head of the Security Affairs Division," he said, referring to his promotion on Monday.