Indonesian House endorses national police chief candidate despite controversy

Indonesian House endorses national police chief candidate despite controversy

2010-10-16 07:29:50 GMT+7 (ICT)

JAKARTA (BNO NEWS) -- The Indonesian House of Representatives' legal commission has endorsed Commander General Timur Pradopo, the sole National Police chief candidate, despite controversy surrounding allegations of human rights abuse.

Com. Gen. Pradopo is the sole police chief candidate and has been widely criticized for being allegedly involved in the 1998 Trisakti and Semanggi shootings which left dozens killed and hundreds more injured.

National Police chief General Bambang Hendarso Danuari lauded the endorsement on Friday by saying "the test went well and I really appreciate the Commission members for accepting [Gen. Pradopo]."

Pradopo's candidacy is expected to be officially endorsed at a House plenary meeting on Tuesday.

In 1998, Pradopo was the West Jakarta Police chief and vice commander of the Mantap Jaya III Operation. He was in charge of the security operations during the Trisakti and Semanggi shootings.

Timur's superior was Hanura's founder and chairman, Gen. Wiranto, who was then commander of the Indonesia military. Suding denied that Hanura's decision to not to question Pradopo about the 1998 incident was related to his relationship with Wiranto.

In 2001, a military court sentenced 11 low-ranking Mobile Brigade officers for shooting demonstrators during the 1998 Trisakti incident. No higher-ranked officers were ever prosecuted, despite the fact that the convicted officers have testified that they were ordered to shoot.

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