National Police chief Gen. Timur Pradopo dismissed Insp. Gen. Djoko Susilo from his position as head of the National Police Academy and Brig. Gen. Didik Purnomo from his position as deputy chief of the National Police Traffic Corps (Korlantas) for their alleged involvement in the driving simulator graft case.
“I can say that the dismissals were linked to the allegations, including
those that are being handled by the Corruption Eradication Commission
(KPK). Therefore, we have decided on their dismissal,” Timur told
reporters on the sidelines of a meeting with the House of
Representatives’ Commission III overseeing legal affairs and human
rights.
Timur has tapped National Police spokesman Insp. Gen.
Anang Iskandar to replace Djoko as the National Police Academy chief,
after the latter was implicated in the graft case centering on the
procurement of driving simulators for the Korlantas in 2011.
The
KPK has named both Djoko and Didik as suspects in the case in early
August. Both were suspended from their posts a few days later.
The
antigraft body has also named the director of PT Inovasi Teknologi
Indonesia, Sukotjo S Bambang, and the director of PT Cipta Mandiri
Metalindo Abadi, Budi Santoso, suspects in its investigation into
allegations of bid rigging and bribery in the Rp 200 billion (US$21.2
million) procurement project.
The National Police have insisted
on conducting their own investigation into the case, even though the KPK
had first launched a similar probe.
The National Police
Criminal Investigation Directorate (Bareskrim) has named Didik, Budi
Santoso and Sukotjo S. Bambang suspects in its investigation.
Bareskrim
has also named Adj. Sr. Comr. Teddy Rusmawan, the head of the
procurement project, and Korlantas treasurer Comr. Legimo as suspects.
Bareskrim questioned Djoko twice as a witness in August.
Last
week, five officers, who were expected to testify against Djoko failed
to show up for questioning, arguing that their names and ranks were
misspelled in their summons.
House Commission III chairman I Gede
Pasek Suardika of the Democratic Party said that the dismissals could
help the investigation into the graft case.
“We applaud this
dismissal because it would be better if they [Djoko and Didik] were not
be given any responsibilities, so they can focus on the case,” Suardika
told reporters, adding that the move should not be viewed only as a
punishment.
The National Police also announced the rotation of several of its top officers.
Jakarta Police deputy chief Brig. Gen. Suhardi Alius is to replace Anang as National Police spokesman, while
Suhardi’s post will be filled by Brig. Gen. Sudjarno, who currently serves as the National Police Internal Affairs unit chief.
Meanwhile,
National Counter-terrorism Agency deputy chief Insp. Gen. Tito
Karnavian has been posted as the Papua Police chief, replacing Insp.
Gen. Bigman Lumban Tobing, who was reassigned as an analyst at National
Police headquarters.
Jakarta Police operational chief Sr. Comr.
Agung Budi Maryoto will also be promoted to National Police’s Traffic
Corps deputy chief, replacing Brig. Gen. Didik Purnomo.