Margareth S. Aritonang, Nurul Fitri Ramadhani and Ina Parlina, Jakarta – Comr. Gen. Tito Karnavian is one step closer to becoming the chief of the National Police, and earlier than anticipated to boot.
The current chief of the National Counterterrorism Agency (BNPT) has been named by President Joko "Jokowi" Widodo as his sole candidate for the top police post.Widely considered to be the least-eligible of a group of nine three-star police generals, Tito now has the chance to show his critics that age does not determine leadership skills, reportedly the rationale behind Jokowi's nomination.
Tito's nomination has raised optimism and doubt in equal measure, as he is the youngest of all three-star police generals touted to take the reins of the institution from retiring chief Gen. Badrodin Haiti.
Jokowi's decision to pass the leadership baton from an incumbent chief to Tito's generation constitutes a breaking of tradition. As a 1987 graduate of the police academy, Tito's appointment over more senior police generals would also be a national first.
Badrodin himself acknowledged that although he had given Jokowi personal input on all of the nine three-star generals long before the police's high-ranking promotions and duty rotation council (Wanjakti) gave its recommendation, Tito was not even on Wanjakti's list after Tito requested that he wanted to focus on his BNPT duties.
"Tito himself said that if it was possible, he should not be considered a candidate," Badrodin said. "That's why Wanjakti did not put his name on the list."
Badrodin claimed to not know the reason behind Jokowi's decision, but said that in his opinion Tito's outstanding experience would have been one of the President's considerations.
Unlike Badrodin, many are hesitant about the future of the National Police if Tito assumes the leadership. "His nomination is the result of a political game, and it poses a threat to the police institution," said Muradi, a political and security analyst of Padjajaran University.
According to Muradi, Tito will experience difficulties maintaining unity within the institution due to its strong culture of seniority that obliges individuals to respect and obey their seniors. "Internal resistance will emerge and challenge his leadership. Thus, Pak Tito may not be able to carry out his job smoothly," he added
Muradi is apparently not the only one. Indonesian Police Watch (IPW) chairman Neta S. Pane said that "Tito is considered a junior in the National Police. So, I think it is inappropriate for him to be the new chief because he will feel uncomfortable leading his seniors."
Tito's nomination was made public following an announcement made by House of Representatives Speaker Ade Komaruddin that the House had received an official letter from Jokowi earlier on Wednesday that named Tito as the sole candidate to replace Badrodin, who will retire by the end of next month.
Besides Tito, the list of hopefuls includes National Police deputy chief Comr. Gen. Budi Gunawan and National Narcotics Agency (BNN) chief Comr. Gen. Budi Waseso – both have close links to the ruling Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDI-P).
Police educational institution head Comr. Gen. Syafruddin, a close associate of Vice President Jusuf Kalla, is also among the strongest candidates.
Although the government still needs the House's nod, Tito, who is known as a "highly educated" officer and has close ties to Coordinating Political, Legal and Security Affairs Minister Luhut Pandjaitan, seems to have won the hearts of the majority of lawmakers.
Jowoki's decision, however, reportedly caught many of them by surprise, with Budi Gunawan the assumed favorite to succeed Badrodin.
"One thing we have to consider is its impact on the internal affairs of the police, because Jokowi's nomination means Tito would not only overtake his seniors but also several generations in the force. If discontent is significant, it may affect the way he manages the police," Masinton Pasaribu of the PDI-P said.
"But perhaps Jokowi has his own reasons and wants a fresh figure to lead and unite the police corps. Someone who has a longer serving time," he added.
The Golkar Party, which recently joined the coalition supporting the government, also expressed its support of Jokowi's decision. "Tito may be the youngest, but don't doubt his experience and professionalism," said Golkar lawmaker Bambang Soesatyo, who is also chairman of House Commission III overseeing legal affairs and laws, human rights and security.
The House will bring the President's letter to the Steering Committee (Bamus) meeting before the commission carries out a screening to measure Tito's capability.
Tito was Jakarta Police chief before he was assigned to lead the BNPT. Before that, he led the National Police's Densus 88 counterterrorism squad. (wnd)
Source: http://www.thejakartapost.com/news/2016/06/16/young-gun-tipped-to-be-top-cop.html