JAKARTA. The Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDI-P) central executive board legal division head, Trimedya Panjaitan, has said that his party was surprised by President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo’s decision to appoint Comr.Gen.Tito Karnavian as sole candidate for the National Police chief position.

The lawmaker said Tito’s name was not on the list of National Police chief candidates proposed by either the Rank and Promotion Council for High-Ranking Officers (Wanjakti) or the National Police Commission (Kompolnas).

“Tito’s name was not listed among the names they provided. That’s why we were surprised,” Trimedya said as quoted by kompas.com on Thursday.

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The deputy chairman of the House of Representatives’ Commission III overseeing legal affairs further said Wanjakti had proposed Comr.Gen.Budi Gunawan, Comr.Gen.Budi Waseso and Comr.Gen.Dwi Priyatno as National Police chief candidates.

Kompolnas agreed with the three candidates proposed by Wanjakti. However, as the Presidential Palace asked the commission to propose one more alternative candidate it sent one more name: Comr.Gen.Syafruddin.

Trimedya said he was surprised that, after the four names were submitted, Jokowi had selected Tito.

“I know it is the prerogative right of the President [to select a police chief candidate]. But why then did Wanjakti need to conduct a selection process? For what reason did Kompolnas need to carry out a screening process?” said Trimedya.

Regarding whether or not the PDI-P would accept Jokowi’s proposal, he said the party would first monitor Tito’s test results at House’s Commission III. If Tito could impress PDI-P through his vision and mission, the party would likely accept his nomination, he added.

However, if Tito ‘failed’ in the fit and proper test, it was not an impossibility for PDI-P to reject his nomination and ask Jokowi to recommend a new candidate.

Earlier, National Police chief Gen.Badrodin Haiti admitted Jokowi had asked him for his input regarding police chief candidates. Badrodin said he had offered several names and one of them was Tito.  

Jokowi showed interest in Tito’s achievements during his career with the National Police, especially in handling extraordinary crimes, Badrodin further explained.

House leaders are set to hold a consultation meeting with leaders of political party factions at the House on Thursday. The House leaders are also scheduled to hold a plenary meeting to officially announce Tito’s nomination as National Police chief.

The House’s Commission III is set to hold a fit and proper test for Tito on Wednesday.