T

he National Police have denied speculation that a rivalry exists between police chief Gen. Badrodin Haiti and his deputy Comr. Gen. Budi Gunawan, and say that the two police generals have worked together to improve police performance.

National Police spokesman Brig. Gen. Agus Rianto told The Jakarta Post that Budi fulfilled his role as the National Police deputy chief and followed any orders made by Badrodin.

'€œThe National Police deputy chief has been carrying out the duties that his position entails, including representing the police chief when he is unavailable,'€ Agus said on Tuesday.

According to National Police Chief Decree (Perkap) No. 10/2011 on work procedures at the National Police, the deputy police chief'€™s main task is to assist the police chief in managing the daily activities of the police force, which includes the evaluation of all divisions within the force and reporting to the police chief.

Agus said that Badrodin and Budi, a former adjutant of former president Megawati Soekarnoputri, had built an amiable relationship.

'€œThere has never been [any conflict between the chief and deputy] because both have their own tasks to do,'€ Agus said.

Speculation is rife that Budi, who was inaugurated as deputy police chief in April, has been trying to wrest more power ever since his nomination as police chief candidate was annulled after the Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) named him a graft suspect in January.

Budi avoided the limelight after the KPK-police standoff and has kept a low profile ever since.

Separately, National Police Commission (Kompolnas) member Hamidah Abdurrachman said that the commission had not noticed any rivalry between Badrodin and Budi.

'€œWe have been observing and find that until now, the leaders of the police force are very solid and it seems that the police chief [Badrodin] has done a good job creating stability in the force, which is essential for the police force to conduct its duties,'€ she told the Post.

Hamidah said that although Kompolnas had yet to conduct a comprehensive evaluation of Budi'€™s performance during his two months in office, the commission was optimistic that he, along with other high-ranking generals in the force, would remain united in the foreseeable future.

However, police expert Bambang Widodo Umar warned that a power struggle between Budi and Badrodin was imminent.

'€œWe can see some indications [of a power struggle]. It is most evident in the recent rotation and promotion of officers,'€ Bambang said, referring to a recent classified telegram on the promotion of officers, which was signed by Budi.

The telegram, signed on June 5, stated that at least 100 middle- and high-ranking officers had to retire or be promoted within 14 days of the telegram being issued.

An earlier telegram in March, signed by now-retired police human resources division assistant Insp. Gen. (ret) Haka Astana, also promoted 16 officers from the National Police Educational Institute (Lemdikpol), which Budi led prior to his appointment as the police deputy chief.

Another one of Budi'€™s former subordinates, Comr. Gen. Budi Waseso, has held the key position of detective division chief since January.

The police force has repeatedly denied that Budi had influence over the rotations.

Bambang said that concerns over a power struggle had begun to be felt not only by the public, but also by fellow police officers.

'€œNo matter how much the National Police tries to conceal it, the public will eventually find out,'€ he said.