The Jakarta Post, July 17, 2007
Maluku Police chief removed over RMS flag incident
Desy Nurhayati, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta
Observers welcomed the dismissal of Maluku's provincial police chief following the
recent flag-waving incident by a separatist group in Ambon.
They said it was an appropriate measure but called also for the removal of security
officials responsible for the incident.
The National Police confirmed Monday the dismissal of Insp. Gen. Guntur Gatot
Setiawan as Maluku provincial police chief.
He would be replaced by Insp. Gen. Guntur Ariyadi who currently serves as the
National Police chief's deputy for operational affairs, the police said.
"The National Police did the right thing by discharging the Maluku police chief and we
should appreciate that," legislator Yuddy Chrisnandi from the House of
Representatives' Commission I overseeing information, defense and foreign affairs, told
The Jakarta Post on Monday.
He said the dismissal was a form of disciplinary action the police chief had to take,
even though the dismissed police chief was not personally at fault.
A group of separatists from the South Maluku Republic (RMS) attempted to wave their
flag in front of President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono's entourage during his visit to
Maluku on June 29.
During a ceremony to commemorate National Family Day, the protesters performed
an unscheduled cakalele war dance for about 15 minutes before one of them unfolded
a large RMS flag.
The group's actions were considered a serious threat to the country's unity.
Authorities have detained a number of RMS activists, most of whom have been
arrested and convicted for their involvement in similar cases in 2004 and 2005.
Yuddy said it was not only the Maluku Police chief who should be discharged, but
also officers from the Presidential Guards (Paspampres) and the Pattimura military
command (Kodam).
"Commanders of Paspampres and Kodam should also be discharged (because) the
incident took place in the second ring, which was guarded by Paspampres, Kodam
and the police," he said.
Echoing Yuddy's comments, Neta S. Pane from the Indonesian Police Watch agreed
with the dismissal, but said the decision was made too late.
"Whoever was responsible for the incident -- the police, Paspampres or Kodam -- they
should be expelled ... brought to court and tried for (gross) negligence," Neta said.
"They need to be processed in court (so we can) find the weak points that have
caused the incident.
"This can also be a good lesson for security officials (to ensure) such an incident
never happen again."
But Yuddy said there was no need for the officials to stand trial and that dismissal
would be enough for failing to secure the event.
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