Jakarta (ANTARA News) - The House of Representatives (DPR) respects President Joko Widodos decision to cancel the inauguration of Commissioner General Budi Gunawan as the national police chief, DPR Speaker Setyo Novanto said.

"I respect the move President Jokowi has taken," he stated at the parliament building.

With regard to the decision made by President Joko Widodo on Wednesday to nominate Commissioner General Badrodin Haiti for the post of the national police chief, Novanto pointed out that the president has yet to inform the DPR about the decision for them to commence further processes.

He added that the DPR closed the second session for the 2014-2015 period on Tuesday and will be in recess until March 23.

"So the DPR will process the presidents letter in the third session," he affirmed.

Novanto, who became the deputy general chairman of the Golkar Party based on a decision made at the Bali congress, noted that the parliament has to conduct a fit and proper test before deciding whether to approve Haitis candidacy for the post of the countrys national police chief.

In addition, political observer from the University of Pelita Harapan (UPH), Victor Silaen, hailed President Joko Widodos decision to cancel Budi Gunawans inauguration as the national police chief.

He remarked that he was relieved to hear that the president had finally decided not to install the controversial commissioner general as the new police chief.

"The decision to let acting police chief Commissioner General Badrodin Haiti take over the job is quite a relief, at least for the time being," Silaen said after the long-awaited announcement was made by the president.

Moreover, Jokowi revealed that the controversy involving Budi Gunawan forced him to cancel the installation of the three-star general as the new police chief.

Gunawan was the sole candidate for the post proposed by the president to the parliament, which had given its approval to his candidacy despite the Corruption Eradication Commission having declared Gunawan as a suspect in corruption case two days earlier.(*)

Editor: Heru Purwanto
Copyright © ANTARA 2015