President screening police chief candidates

Possible police chief candidates Nanan Sukarna (left), Imam Sujarwo (right).

State Secretary Sudi Silalahi said on Wednesday the president was screening the candidates, who were separately nominated by National Police chief Gen. Bambang Hendarso Danuri and the National Police Commission.

“The names of the candidates were submitted to the president yesterday. Maybe we will soon seek approval from the House,” Sudi said as quoted by Antara news agency.

He said the government did not dismiss any possibility to propose a sole candidate to the House, which was a common practice in the past.

National Police training institute head Insp. Gen. Imam Sujarwo and National Police general monitoring inspector Comr. Gen. Nanan Sukarna have been widely touted as candidates for the police chief post, replacing Bambang who will retire on Oct. 10.

Head of the Presidential Work Unit for Development Monitoring and Control (UKP4) Kuntoro Mangkusubroto suggested that the new police chief sign an integrity and performance pact as other state officials under the president did.

Kuntoro said Wednesday the pact would serve as an instrument to keep the police chief’s integrity and commitment to perform intact.

“The National Police is among state institutions that fall under monitoring of the UKP4 when it comes to its priority programs,” Kuntoro said.