Indonesian President Abdurrahman Wahid swore in a new top security minister and a deputy national deputy police chief on Saturday, following up a snap cabinet reshuffle widely seen as trying to save himself from impeachment.
Wahid also released his national police chief from his duties after he refused to resign, and threatened to slap insubordination charges against a resentful police force if it did not accept the new deputy as their commander.
The swearing in followed a cabinet reshuffle Friday, which also saw the ouster of Attorney General Marzuki Darusman amid five other changes.
Wahid first swore in new coordinating minister for politics, social and security affairs, Agum Gumelar, a retired general to replace outgoing Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono.
Vice President Megawati Sukarnoputri, who stands to replace Wahid if he resigns or is ousted and usually swears in officials in place of the 60-year-old blind president, was conspicuously absent from the ceremony to appoint Gumelar, one of her allies.
Megawati was not consulted by Wahid over the reshuffle, a presidential aide has said.
Wahid personally swore in the new deputy police chief, Commissioner General Chaeruddin Ismail, despite a decree abolishing the post.
Armed forces chief Admiral Widodo Adisucipto and the heads of the navy and air force attended Gumelar's swearing in, but left the palace before Ismail was sworn in.
In the decree appointing Ismail, Wahid also decommissioned National Police Chief General Suroyo Bimantoro who refused to relinquish his command.
"The national police chief demanded to be non-activated. The ranks of the police should accept this and whoever does not will be considered to be insubordinate," Wahid said. "This has to be done to accelerate the improvement of security."
By law, the president can only replace a national police chief with the approval of the lower house, the People's Representative Council (DPR).
Wahid had aready angered the DPR, with whom he has been at loggerheads since early in his presidency, for replacing then police chief General Rusdiharjo (eds: one name) without consulting them in 1999.
Meanwhile National Police Spokesman Did Widayadi indicated in a press conference Saturday that a full-scale revolt was brewing in the police over Bimantoro's sacking.
"Support from officers is increasing, from top, mid-level and low-level officers," Widayadi said.
At least 32 police generals, including regional commanders, were among those who sent a statement rejecting the president's "intervention" and backing Bimantoro to remain in his post.
"I do not know yet at what time, but the generals will coordinate to discuss the latest situation,' Widayadi was later quoted by the Detikcom online news service as saying – JAKARTA (AFP)
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