House Approves Idham as National Police Chief

Kompas/Heru Sri Kumoro

The candidate for the chief of National Police, Comr. Gen. Idham Aziz, pays his respects to members of the House of Representatives shortly before being screened by members of Commission III at the Senayan legislative complex, Jakarta, Wednesday (30/10/2019). Idham was appointed as the sole candidate for the National Police chief by President Joko Widodo to replace Tito Karnavian. Tito resigned from the National Police after being appointed by President Jokowi as the home minister.

JAKARTA, KOMPAS — The nomination of Comr. Gen. Idham Azis to become the chief of the Indonesian National Police went smoothly. After undergoing a two-hour interview, all factions in the House Commission III approved Idham\'s nomination as National Police chief on Wednesday.

With only a 14-month term or until he retires at the end of January 2021, Idham will focus on improving the human resources of the police. Based on the program of his predecessor, Gen. (Ret.) Tito Karnavian, which was to promote a professional, modern and trustworthy police force, Idham is committed to continuously improving the National Police’s image and its services.

Idham will focus on improving the human resources of the police.

"National Police personnel will be prepared to work hard and get involved in the field. I am committed to making the National Police a [supportive] organization," Idham said during his interview, which was led by House Commission III chairman Herman Herry.

Idham was accompanied by a number of high-ranking police officers, including Jakarta Police chief Insp. Gen. Gatot Eddy Pramono, the National Police chief’s assistant for operations Insp. Gen. Martuani Sormin, the National Police chief’s HR assistant Insp. Gen. Eko Indra Heri, profession and security head Insp. Gen. Listyo Sigit Prabowo, as well as National Police PR head Insp. Gen. Mohammad Iqbal.

ANTARA FOTO/RENO ESNIR

The head of the National Police\'s Criminal Investigation Department (Bareskrim), Comr. Gen. Idham Aziz, (second right), accompanied by his family, receives a visit from chairman of Commission III of the House of Representatives, Herman Hery (left), and members of the commission at Idham’s residence in Jakarta, Wednesday (30/10/2019). The visit of the chairperson and a number of House Commission III members to Idham’s residence was to learn about the latter’s background, as he is the sole candidate for police chief.

Before holding the interview, members of the House Commission III visited Idham\'s house in the Kebayoran Baru area, South Jakarta.

After the interview, Herman announced that the House Commission III had approved the nomination of Idham as National Police chief.

"We have written to the leadership of the House of Representatives to hold a plenary meeting on Thursday," he said.

Questions

A number of questions were raised by members of the House Commission III in the interview. Arsul Sani from the United Development Party (PPP) faction, for example, reminded that the National Police are required to coordinate and cooperate with other institutions, such as the National Narcotics Agency (BNN), the National Counterterrorism Agency (BNPT), the Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) and the Attorney General\'s Office.

KOMPAS/DHANANG DAVID ARITONANG

The candidate for the chief of National Police, Comr. Gen. Idham Aziz, pays his respects to members of the House of Representatives shortly before being screened by members of Commission III at the Senayan legislative complex, Jakarta, Wednesday (30/10/2019). Idham was appointed as the sole candidate for the National Police chief by President Joko Widodo to replace Tito Karnavian. Tito resigned from the National Police after being appointed by President Jokowi as the home minister.

M Nurdin from the Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDI-P) faction and Mulyadi from the Democratic Party faction questioned the steps taken by the National Police in facing rallies that end up in chaos.

However, no member of the House Commission III asked about the investigation on the acid attack on KPK investigator Novel Baswedan, which occurred on April 11, 2017.

No member of the House Commission III asked about the investigation on the acid attack on KPK investigator Novel Baswedan.

House Commission III deputy chairman of the Gerindra Party faction Desmond J Mahesa said after the interview that questions related to the Novel case should not be directed to Idham. The questions should have been passed on to President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo.

However, after the interview, Idham promised to resolve the case.