President to propose Badrodin Haiti as New Police Chief Candidate

Jakarta (Antara) - President Joko Widodo (Jokowi) has decided to propose Comm. Gen. Badrodin Haiti as the new National Police (Polri) chief candidate to replace Comm. Gen Budi Gunawan whose nomination ran into controversies. \"To calm down the situation and to fulfill the need for a definitive Polri chief soon, we propose Comm. Gen. Badrodin Haiti to the House of Representatives (DPR) to be approved as the national police chief,\" President Jokowi said at the State Palace here on Wednesday. On the occasion, the President appealed to Comm. Gen. Budi Gunawan to contribute his best to Polri and make the institution more professional so the people will trust it. Budi Gunawan was previously nominated as the sole police chief candidate by the President, but was later named by the Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) in an alleged corruption case. Although he was named suspect, the DPR approved his nomination. However, the President decided to reconsider his installation citing KPK\'s action. Meanwhile, two KPK leaders, Abraham Samad and Bambang Widjojanto, have been named suspects by the police. Considering the vacancy of another KPK leader\'s position, the President announced he will issue a Presidential Decision for the temporary discharge of the two KPK leaders. \"Following the Presidential Decision, a regulation in lieu of law (Perppu) will be issued for the temporary appointment of new KPK leaders to ensure the smooth functioning of the anti-graft body,\" he added. In accordance with the Presidential Decision, Taufiqurahman Ruki, Indarto Senoaji, and Djohan Budi will be appointed as the temporary leaders of KPK. \"I also order Polri and KPK to abide by the principles of law and codes of ethics to maintain harmony in the two institutions,\" the President emphasized.(*)