N

ational Police chief Gen. Badrodin Haiti will reach mandatory retirement age in July and President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo will have to answer the much-asked question: Will Badrodin stay on as police chief?

Jokowi has the authority to keep Badrodin on as chief or replace him, as the existing regulation allows Jokowi both options.

The National Police Law stipulates that police officers retire at the age of 58, but officers with specific required abilities may be kept in active service until the age of 60.

Several legislators have voiced their opinion regarding the potential National Police leadership options in the current climate.

House deputy speaker Fadli Zon said Tuesday that Jokowi needed to keep Badrodin because he is can maintain a conducive climate in the police corps, citing public criticism of the police for taking excessive measures against communist symbolism across the country as a current problem.

The police also became the target of public criticism following the death of terrorist suspect Siyono in police detention. Two members of the National Police antiterrorism squad (Densus88) allegedly tortured Siyono to death.

“We need a solid police force and Badrodin is capable of creating it. He can accommodate the needs of the police officers,” said Fadli of Gerindra Party.

In contrast, Masinton Pasaribu of the Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDI-P) said there is no need to extend Badrodin’s tenure.

“There is no urgency to extend his tenure because our country is not in an emergency situation. Regeneration within the National Police is needed and I am sure there are many police generals who can be promoted to be the new chief,” he said.

Badrodin’s retirement would open door for Comr. Gen. Budi Gunawan, the deputy chief of the National Police.

Budi was originally nominated, alongside Badrodin, to replace Comr. Gen. Sutarman as the National Police chief. He is a former confidant of Megawati Soekarnoputri, chairwoman of PDIP and Jokowi’s patron.

Last week, Police spokesman Brig. Gen. Boy Rafli Amar said the police had not prepared any names to put forth to Jokowi.

In January last year, Jokowi made the controversial decision to nominate Budi Gunawan as police chief. Three days later, the Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) declared Budi a graft suspect for alleged financial misdeeds in his capacity as head of the National Police Career Development Bureau.

Bowing to public pressure, Jokowi appointed Badrodin as the police chief. Meanwhile, Budi got his suspect status cleared following a controversial pre-trial hearing in February.

Previously, Badrodin said that if Jokowi decided to extend his tenure, he was ready.
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