C

oordinating Political, Legal & Security Affairs Minister Luhut Binsar Pandjaitan has lashed out at recent over-exposed crime investigations that have caused public controversy.

He warned law enforcement institutions not to make '€œnoise'€ while doing their jobs, because it may disrupt the economy.

'€œThe point is, the President [Joko '€˜Jokowi'€™ Widodo] and the Vice President [Jusuf Kalla] have both ordered Bogor [law enforcement] not to be so disruptive. You are perfectly welcome to enforce the law, but it can be done wisely without being publicized,'€ he said at the Presidential Palace on Wednesday.

'€œThe President emphasized that everyone must obey the orders given to his subordinates. This is true for ministers, the military [TNI] and the police force and it applies to me too.'€

Luhut'€™s comments followed previous statements he had made since becoming coordinating minister about how law enforcement and corruption eradication should be upheld, but not blown out of proportion in the public sphere.

Luhut refused to confirm whether his anger was targeted at National Police detective chief Comr. Gen. Budi Waseso, who has frequently manoeuvred against his boss, police chief Gen. Badrodin Haiti, and President Joko '€œJokowi'€ Widodo.

Speculation is rife that the Palace has ordered the three-star general'€™s dismissal.

Since his inauguration in January, Budi'€™s career as the National Police'€™s detective division chief has been marked with controversy and criticism.

The most recent maneuver made by the detective division was a raid conducted last Friday at the headquarters of state port operator PT Pelindo II in relation to the procurement of fixed crane-type loading and unloading equipment.

Pelindo II'€™s president director, RJ Lino, complained about the raid and stated that the Supreme Audit Agency (BPK) had already declared the company clear of any irregularities.

The raid follows several other large ones conducted in relation to graft investigations, including the Upstream Oil and Gas Regulatory Special Task Force (SKKMigas) office and the Pertamina Foundation office.

Budi vehemently denied on Wednesday that he had received news that he would be transferred to a different position because of his intrusive style.

Budi also defended his investigative methods and denied that the investigations conducted during his seven-month tenure had disrupted the state economy.

'€œI have never done anything disruptive. I have only dedicated my work to law enforcement and have never been disruptive,'€ he said.

Separately, Badrodin said that Budi'€™s rotation would be discussed by the members of the Rank and Promotion Council for High-Ranking Officers (Wanjakti).

'€œWe are still discussing it. It all depends on the Wanjakti,'€ he said, adding that they had not yet decided on Budi'€™s possible replacement either.