Mobile Brigade Secures House Of Former Indonesian Police Chief
By Kazi Mahmood
JAKARTA, July 13 (IslamOnline) - The Mobile brigade (Brimob) secured the houses of former Indonesian police chief Gen. Suroyo Bimantoro on Friday, saying not a single soul could disturb his peace.
The rebel police chief refused to resign from his post after being dismissed by President Abdurrahman Wahid last month. He also refused an ambassadorial post offered by Wahid earlier this month.
Bimantoro earlier gave signs he would not support the Indonesian president in his efforts to dissolve the Indonesian parliament and Senate, and impose a state of emergency in the country.
The armed brigade men encircled Bimantoro's houses, offering the fallen police chief unprecedented protection against anyone who would attempt to penetrate the residences.
Wahid had launched an arrest order against Bimantoro on Thursday, but which resulted in yet another damaging refusal by the police and army to arrest the popular chief.
The Bimantoro issue proving to be difficult to crack and could provide the impetus for the removal of the embattled president, who is facing a censure motion on August 1st for his erratic performance and alleged involvement in two corruption cases.
Wahid has denied the allegations and has urged Parliament and political parties in Indonesia to compromise with him in order to prevent a break-up of the country in case he is removed from office.
The army and the police in Jakarta said it would prove difficult to arrest the former police chief, a move that could trigger further military disobedience and a possible reprisal from extremist elements within the army and police forces.
On Friday, Wahid had denied that he wanted Bimantoro arrested, effectively back-tracking on his call to police to take action against "rebel" police officer.
