Nivell Rayda, Jakarta – A string of new candidates might be eligible to take over as the nation's next top police officer despite the National Police Commission nominating only three candidates, analysts believe.
The commission, also known as Kompolnas, which draws up the list of candidates, handed its choices to President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono last week.
Rules dictate that the police chief be a serving three-star general. There are five at the moment, including National Police Deputy Chief Comr. Gen. Yusuf Manggabarani, internal affairs division head Comr. Gen. Nanan Soekarna and chief of detectives Comr. Gen. Ito Sumardi.
However, Indonesian Police Watch chairman Neta S. Pane said several two-star police generals were set to be promoted to commissioner general during next week's routine transfers.
"This would change the whole race because there will be more eligible candidates," Neta said. "Although the Kompolnas has submitted its recommendations, the real influence will be wielded by the outgoing police chief."
Bambang Hendarso Danuri, the sitting chief, is set to retire on Nov. 1 after turning 58. The president must submit at least one name to the House of Representatives legal commission before Bambang steps down.
Neta said a new candidate was likely because none of the current three-star generals were widely accepted within the force.
"Each commissioner general has his own team, rallying support from politicians and retired police officers. There is no unifying figure who is accepted by all," he said.
Internal affairs chief Nanan is seen as the frontrunner. Another favorite being touted by analysts is Comr. Gen. Imam Soejarwo, the police's head of bureaucratic reform, who was recently promoted to three-star general. Many saw Bambang's promotion of Imam as a way for him to enter the race.
University of Indonesia political analyst Bambang Widodo Umar said none of the candidates were likely to bring much-needed reform to the police force, which for years has been regarded as one of the country's most corrupt institutions.
"Like all police chiefs before him, the new police chief might enforce major crackdowns and arrests during the early months of his term. He might even expose graft inside his institution. But over time everything goes back to the way it was," the analyst said.
Bambang said the government must give Kompolnas more teeth, enabling it to act against rogue police officers.
"The new police chief should focus on catching criminals and ensuring national security. Let an external body worry about restructuring the force and sanctioning corrupt officers, he said.
The government is also seeking a replacement for Attorney General Hendarman Supandji, who has submitted eight names to the president, all from inside the AGO.
Antigraft activists from the Center for Indonesian Law and Policy Studies (PSHK) and Indonesia Corruption Watch said the new attorney general must come from outside.
"The AGO needs someone who does not tolerate graft. I don't see anyone inside the AGO who fits the category," ICW deputy chairman Emerson Yuntho said.