"Tito is too young. There are still many senior officers above him. Perhaps he should be Kapolri later, if he is to be chosen as one, but it must not be done now," Pane said.
Jakarta (ANTARA News) - Non-governmental organization Indonesia Police Watch (IPW) has expressed criticism over President Joko Widodos decision to name Commissioner General Tito Karnavian as the sole candidate to become the countrys next national police chief.

"The Presidents decision can damage the cadre system and order in the police force," IPW chairman Neta S Pane said, when asked by ANTARA for his comment on Titos appointment.

He said Tito is too young and there are also five other officials who are more senior than he is who could be considered potential candidates.

Although the decision is the prerogative of the President, he said the President needs to consider career development and the ranking of candidates.

"The President should have also paid attention to career development and ranking, as mandated in Article 11 of Law Number 2 of 2002 on the police force. It means we must know that Tito is still too young and he will only retire in 2022," he said.

He noted that there are still many three-star generals who are his seniors who deserve the post.

"Tito is too young. There are still many senior officers above him. Perhaps he should be Kapolri later, if he is to be chosen as one, but it must not be done now," he said.

National Police spokesman Inspector General Boy Rafli Amar affirmed that the police force remained solid following President Joko Widodos decision to name Commissioner General Tito Karnavian as the sole candidate for the countrys next police chief.

"God willing, there will be no problem. Police members will always be loyal and abide by what the President has decided. Polri (the police force) respects the Presidents decision. We welcome it," he said.

Regarding Titos ascension, surpassing those several generations above him, Boy said, "It is not a problem. The organization will continue to run normally after his replacement."

Meanwhile, House Speaker Ade Komarudin said the House has received a letter from President Joko Widodo proposing Commissioner General Tito Karnavian as the sole candidate to become the next police chief.

"DPR has received a letter from President Joko Widodo requesting Commissioner General Tito Karnavians nomination as the sole candidate for the police chief to replace General Badrodin Haiti," he said.

He noted that the DPR leadership would hold a meeting on Thursday to discuss the matter and, after that, the proposal will be taken to the consultative body of the DPR for placement on the agenda of the DPRs plenary meeting.

"Afterwards it will be processed at House Commission III for determining the test for the candidate," he said.

He said he had communicated with the chairman of House Commission III regarding Tito Karnavians nomination and the possibility for the test to take place on June 22.(*)

Editor: Heru Purwanto
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