Indonesia's highest court has confirmed the acquittal of a senior policeman accused of human rights abuses in the last days of Indonesian rule over East Timor. The decision clears the way for the inspector to take up another controversial appointment.

Nearly all of the Indonesian police and army figures charged with human rights abuses before a special tribunal in Jakarta were acquitted and police Inspector Timbul Silaen has become the first to have that acquittal confirmed after an appeal against it failed in the Supreme Court.

Inspector Timbul Silaen was originally charged over his failure to prevent police under his command and pro-Indonesia militia men from launching several deadly attacks against East Timorese civilians.

Now cleared, Timbul Silaen has commenced his new position in Jayapura as the head of police in the troubled province of Papua, formerly known as Irian Jaya.

The Indonesian Government has struggled with the separatist movement there, expressing concerns that the province could follow the same path as East Timor.