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Arrest of incoming E. Java Police chief exposes possible internal rift: Observers
Following a rapid series of scandals that have afflicted the National Police, experts say that the latest arrest of a senior police officer is indicative of “toxic rivalry” among competing groups within the force.
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President Joko Widodo (second right) bestows the Bhayangkara Naraiya medal on police officers (from left) Brig. General Teddy Minahasa, Sr. Comr. Suhenri, First Insp. Setiawan Heri Karyadi and First Insp. Inspector Adjutant (Aiptu) Andarias Nisabe on July 11, 2018, during a ceremony to mark the 72nd anniversary of the National Police at Istora Senayan, Jakarta. (JP/Seto Wardhana)
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oming just days after he was handpicked to lead the East Java Police, the arrest of Insp. Gen. Teddy Minahasa indicates a possible rift inside the embattled National Police and a flaw within its selection process, experts say.
Formerly the West Sumatra Police chief, Teddy was selected on Oct. 10 to replace Insp. Gen. Nico Afinta amid the controversy over Nico’s role in the Kanjuruhan Stadium tragedy on Oct. 1. A mere four days after his appointment, however, the incoming East Java Police chief was arrested on suspicion of distributing 5 kilograms of crystal meth to North Jakarta by Jakarta Police chief Insp. Gen. Fadil Imran.
The crystal meth had been originally confiscated as evidence by the Bukittinggi Police in West Sumatra.
“We have confiscated 3.3 kilograms of the [drug], while the remaining 1.7 kg has been distributed in Kampung Bahari,” Jakarta Police narcotics head Sr. Comr. Mukti Juharsa said, as quoted by Kompas.com.
Mukti said Adj. Sr. Comr. “D” of the Bukittinggi Police, later revealed to be Dody Prawiranegara, had stolen the crystal meth from the police evidence room and replaced with alum (potassium aluminum sulfate), a food additive, on Teddy’s order.
In light of the recent series of scandals and reassignments plaguing the force, observers have noted that this latest incident could indicate warring factions within the National Police.
Internal conflict
