Jokowi to not install Budi Gunawan: Syafii Maarif

YOGYAKARTA. Coordinator of the recently established independent team tasked with advising President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo, Ahmad Syafii Maarif, said on Wednesday the President would not install controversial sole candidate Comr. Gen. Budi Gunawan as National Police chief.

"Pak Jokowi has phoned me, informing that Budi will not be installed [as National Police chief]," said Ahmad, who is also the former chairman of Muhammadiyah, the second-largest Muslim organization in Indonesia, on the sidelines of a seminar ahead of the sixth Congress of Indonesian Muslims at Muhammadiyah University in Yogyakarta on Wednesday.

Ahmad admitted that in regard to Budi’s appointment, there was lots of pressure on the President.

"The dispute between the National Police and the KPK [ the Corruption Eradication Commission] has to end," he said.

The cancellation of Budi’s installment, according to Ahmad, is in line with the recommendation of the independent team he chairs. The team was established by the president to assess and give input on police-KPK dispute.

"Who is named the next candidate will be in the hands of Kompolnas [the National Police Commission]," he said. (Slamet Susanto)