President Joko ‘Jokowi’ Widodo has on Friday (January 16) appointed deputy police chief Badrodin Haiti as acting police chief to replace Sutarman.
“I have signed two decrees today. First on the dismissal of Sutarman as national police chief, and the second on the appointment of Badrodin Haiti as acting police chief,” Jokowi said Friday night.
The President was accompanied by Vice President Jusuf Kalla, coordinating minister for politic, security, law and human rights affairs Tedjo Edhi, Sutarman, and Badrodin Haiti, in the press conference to announce the decisions.
Jokowi, who is under pressure from civil society and anti-graft activists, has also decided to postpone the inauguration of Budi Gunawan as police chief, even though he has secured support from the House of Representatives.
“The inauguration is postponed, not cancelled,” Jokowi said.
Pratikno, minister of state secretary, said that the decision would give the Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) to examine Budi Gunawan, who has been named crime suspect.