Ina Parlina and Margareth S. Aritonang, Jakarta – Gen. Tito Karnavian, was installed on Wednesday as the youngest-ever police chief, marking a new era of reform in one of the country's most-corrupt institutions.
President Joko "Jokowi" Widodo gave him two instructions that may become a double-edged sword if he fails to maintain balance in carrying out both tasks.
Tito, who will see a number of his seniors serving in the institution's top posts, was ordered to focus on maintaining internal unity while conducting comprehensive and concrete reform to end corruption and poor performance.
Significant results have not been seen from ongoing police reform – which started in 1998 and touches cultural, instrumental and structural aspects – as public trust in the police continues to decline, particularly owing to the criminalization of marginalized communities and rampant corruption in the police force.
Tito responded to the President's order by saying that he would do his best to carry out what had been instructed to do.
"Particularly those related to [police] culture, [how to encourage] more humane behavior," Tito said after his inauguration at the State Palace.
As he realized that he was considered a junior in the corps, Tito said he would also push for better internal ties beyond the chain of command: two-way relations and communication between superiors and subordinates at all levels of police entities, including at the subprecinct offices.
"I am quite optimistic because since I was nominated, up until today [...] I believe many [two-star and three-star police officers] have shown their support," Tito added.
Tito's nomination to replace retiring police chief Gen. Badrodin Haiti had previously been met with optimism and doubt. The nomination of the former Densus 88 antiterrorism unit head was also scrutinized, particularly since he has a problematic human rights record.
During last month's confirmation hearing at the House of Representatives, lawmakers scrutinized him on balancing human rights protection with law enforcement.
Tito claimed to be supported by the entire police force, as nearly all two-star police officers in Jakarta, as well as some three-star police generals, attended the inauguration. "Our common interest is to improve the police [institution]. Having a good police force will contribute to [the country's] democracy," Tito said.
Police deputy chief Comr. Gen. Budi Gunawan, who previously was seen as a favorite to succeed Badrodin given his close ties to Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDI-P) chairwoman Megawati Soekarnoputri, was among guests at the ceremony, which was also attended by Megawati.
Not all nine three-star generals attended the ceremony. Other than Budi Gunawan, four others spotted at the event were police Insp. Gen. Comr. Gen. Dwi Priyatno, police educational institution head Comr. Gen. Syafruddin, National Resilience Institute (Lemhannas) chief secretary Comr. Gen. Suhardi Alius and head of the police's intelligence and security division, Comr. Gen. Noer Ali.
National Narcotics Agency (BNN) chief Comr. Gen. Budi Waseso – who was on the Rank and Promotion Council for High-Ranking Officers (Wanjakti) list of three police chief candidates along with Dwi and Budi Gunawan – was not seen that day.
The Wanjakti di not include Tito on its list of recommended names to Jokowi, raising speculation that he might extend Badrodin's tenure or pick Budi Gunawan. However, the National Police Commission (Kompolnas), which is led by Coordinating Political, Legal and Security Affairs Minister Luhut Pandjaitan, submitted three options to Jokowi: to pick one of the three names on Wanjakti's list, to extend Badrodin's tenure or to nominate Tito.
After the ceremony, Budi Gunawan said cultural reform was the most difficult aspect of the ongoing police reform. "Because changing the mindset of personnel takes time," he said.
Separately, director of human rights watchdog Setara Institute, Hendardi, highlighted internal challenges, from reforming the police institution, curbing corruption among police personnel to uniting the institution, which awaited Tito.
"The police have undoubtedly done lots of good work, but most of the time they fail to win the public's trust," Hendardi said.
"The police still struggle to prove their commitment to corruption eradication. They still criminalize the marginalized. Their professionalism in carrying out investigations is questionable. And, many of the members still misuse their positions. These are all the challenges that Pak Tito needs to overcome,"he added.