Pradopo East Appointment Controversy As National Police Chief In Today's Memory, October 22, 2010

President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono congratulated the National Police Chief, Komjen Pol. Timur Pradopo and his wife after the inauguration ceremony of the National Police Chief at the State Palace, Jakarta, Friday (22/10). (Between)

JAKARTA - Today's memory, 13 years ago, October 22, 2010, President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono (SBY) appointed General Timur Pradopo as the new National Police Chief. The inauguration was held at the State Palace, Jakarta. The election was considered rushed and seemed political.

Previously, Timur was known as an experienced police officer. He was once a witness in the 1998 tragedy. His career was successful in the era of President SBY. His promotion, let alone. He was promoted in a short time.

Timur Pradopo and the 1998 riots were things that could not be released. He witnessed the events that changed the course of Indonesian history. At that time he was still the West Jakarta Metro Police Chief. His rank is Lieutenant Colonel.

His job is clear. Timur was established to secure his area of duty from the seeds of riots. However, the East power was unable to anticipate the clashes of protesters at Trisakti University. Four Trisakti students were killed.

The incident was able to be a trigger for other students to move to remove the New Order (Orba) government from their bodies. East fate was actually lucky. He is free from responsibility. Even though his position has changed.

His career is increasing. He was able to serve as Kapolda Jabar, then Kapolda Metro Jaya in 2010. Although not very smooth. Many incidents have disrupted East leadership at Polda Metro.

He was once faced with a fat account case. The case never got clarity. Not to mention other case matters. As a result, his achievements are considered by many parties, mediocre. Even so, his professional affairs are not too prominent.

The East track record itself is not really clean. He, for example, was absent from the summons of the National Human Rights Commission as a witness in the shooting of four Trisakti students in 1998. As the Head of the Metro Jaya Regional Police, East's achievements were also not brilliant.

"He could not catch the brains of the perpetrators of the persecution of Indonesian Corruption Watch (ICW) activists who were aggressively uncovering the case of the police's 'fat customer' Tama S. Langkun, unable to uncover the case of throwing Molotov cocktails at the magazine's office, also failed to anticipate bloody clashes between thugs on Jalan Ampera Raya two weeks ago," wrote Tempo Magazine's report entitled Why should it be East (2010).

Regarding fate, no one knows. It is possible for observers and the public to think of Timur as an ordinary police officer. but, not for the government. The East name actually appears unexpectedly as a candidate for the National Police Chief who will replace the old National Police Chief, General Bambang Hendarsi Danuri.

Timur's candidacy was proposed so quickly. In fact, his candidacy did not cause any conflict among the members of the council, compared to other candidates. Members of the council also agreed that Timur deserved to become the National Police Chief. The universe likes to side with the East.

He, who incidentally was the Metro Police Chief, then got a lightning promotion. He got a promotion in a short time. From two-star generals to three-star generals.

Then, the four star was only obtained by the East when he was appointed by President SBY as the National Police Chief at the State Palace, October 22, 2010. Problems arose. The election of the East is considered controversial. The public considers that there are still better candidates than the East. However, the government's decision cannot be contested.

"Commission III approved to dismiss General Bambang Hendarso Danuri who entered retirement and agreed to appoint East Komjen Pradopo as National Police Chief," said the head of Commission III of the Indonesian House of Representatives, Tjatur Sapto Edy as quoted by Kompas.com, October 22, 2010.