Armando Siahaan & Markus Junianto Sihaloho, Jakarta – Legislators vetting the candidate to lead the National Police said they would question him over his statement that he would not be adverse to hard-line groups as working partners in law enforcement.

Comr. Gen. Timur Pradopo, the former Jakarta Police chief and the sole candidate for the national post, drew widespread criticism when he suggested that all groups, including the Islamic Defenders Front (FPI), could help keep the peace.

On Tuesday, however, legislators from House of Representatives Commission III, which oversees legal affairs and is scheduled to interview Timur on Thursday, called his statement questionable and regrettable.

"We'll ask him what he meant by [calling for] such close ties," said Tjatur Edy Sapto, a deputy chairman of the commission and head of a 10-person team responsible for researching Timur's record.

"If he intends to keep such groups under control, that's not a problem," added Tjatur, from the National Mandate Party (PAN). "But if he intends to offer them protection, that's not right."

Syarifuddin Sudding, from the People's Conscience Party (Hanura), questioned the candidate's position.

"If Timur engages the FPI to take over the role of the police in doing their job, that's utterly regrettable," he said. He added that partnering with hard-line groups like the FPI would undermine the police's credibility and legitimacy.

Bambang Soesatyo, from the Golkar Party, said that while there was nothing wrong in engaging such groups, it "should not weaken the police's authority."

"If the relationship is misused by the group, then the police chief must be extra firm [in cracking down] on them," he said.

Separately, Anis Matta, the only House deputy speaker not involved in a controversial meeting with Timur last week, has called for a dialogue with Commission III legislators who criticized the House leadership.

Anis, from the Prosperous Justice Party (PKS), said the House leaders preferred to settle the dispute amicably to keep it out of an ethics tribunal. "If possible, we'd like to invite all of them to meet with us for a friendly talk to discuss the matter," he said.

The controversy stems from a closed-door meeting last week between Timur and House Speaker Marzuki Alie and deputies Taufik Kurniawan, Priyo Budi Santoso and Pramono Anung.