S

peculation about a power struggle within the National Police (Polri) has always marked, if not dogged, any change of guard in the force, although once the President decides on his or her choice for police chief the tension quickly subsides and consolidation immediately follows.

When President Joko '€œJokowi'€ Widodo swore in Gen. Badrodin Haiti as the Polri chief on April 17, hopes abounded that the new police leader would steer the institution back to its business, which is to enforce the law and maintain security. Badrodin'€™s rise to the top police post came after months of political brouhaha that not only pitted Jokowi against his allies, but also renewed the standoff between the police and the Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK).

As the definite leader, Badrodin wields the power to ensure the police, both top brass and rank and file, unite under his command and follow his orders, although in the process he will have to consult his aides and make compromises. It is for the sake of unity, apparently, that he approved, through the police'€™s Rank and Promotion Council that he chairs, the appointment of Comr. Gen. Budi Gunawan as his deputy.

Budi was promoted to be second-in-command despite his unsettled implication in a number of suspicious bank transactions that eventually cost him his bid for the police chief post. Several top political figures, including Vice President Jusuf Kalla, openly endorsed Budi'€™s appointment as Badrodin'€™s deputy, saying that he had been cleared of criminal charges.

It was probably because of the too many unanswered questions related to whatever deal gave Budi the consolation job that his inauguration as deputy police chief on Wednesday was held behind closed doors. Prominent among the queries is whether President Jokowi, who was busy hosting the Asian-African Conference Commemoration, gave the nod for Budi to be given the deputy post.

Both Jokowi and Badrodin confirmed Thursday that Budi was installed without having been subject to the President'€™s scrutiny as required, although the two said they had previously met to discuss the issue of a new deputy police chief. Jokowi cannot simply give Badrodin a blank check in such a strategic matter, but should exercise close supervision instead, given the minimum public oversight over the police.

Indeed, Badrodin has underlined his commitment to police consolidation and synergy with the KPK, the Attorney General'€™s Office and the Financial Transactions Report and Analysis Centre (PPATK) in a bid to rein in corruption. But Budi'€™s ascent to the second-highest rank in the police hierarchy, after some of his confidants secured strategic posts in the police headquarters, seems to mount a new challenge for Badrodin to realize his pledges.

The ongoing criminalization of former deputy KPK chief Bambang Widjojanto is a case in point. On Thursday police investigators had insisted on detaining Bambang, one of the persons responsible for Budi'€™s foiled aspiration for the police chief post, after an interrogation. The police eventually let him go only after Badrodin intervened.

Badrodin survived his first test, but a lot more lie waiting.