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Wahid faces police rebellion
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INDONESIA'S political crisis deepened yesterday as police rejected President Abdurrahman Wahid's de facto dismissal of their commander, General Suroyo Bimantoro.
Wahid, who is fighting possible impeachment, relieved Bimantoro of his duties on Saturday and handed them over to newly-appointed deputy police chief, Inspector General Chaeruddin Ismail.
But Jakarta Police Chief, Inspector General Sofyan Jacoeb, yesterday said he and more than 100 other police generals remained loyal to Bimantoro, who has refused to resign.
"I only recognize one national police chief, that is Mr. Bimantoro," Jacoeb said after accompanying Bimantoro in a meeting with legislators.
The pledge of allegiance to Bimantoro came despite Wahid's warning that officers refusing to accept his decision could face charges of insubordination.
Wahid relieved Bimantoro of his duties after he refused to resign as demanded.
By law, the president can only replace a national police chief with the approval of the lower house, the People's Representative Council (DPR.)
The increasingly isolated president acted against Bimantoro on Friday after the national assembly, the People's Consultative Assembly (MPR), fixed August 1 for an impeachment hearing against him. He sacked his security minister and attorney general on the same day.
The moves were widely seen as part of Wahid's battle to avoid impeachment.
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