Wednesday 25 November 2009

New detective chief denies role in illegal logging




The Jakarta Post | Wed, 11/25/2009


Newly appointed National Police detective chief Insp. Gen. Ito Sumardi has denied any link to illegal logging and gambling cases when serving as the police chief in South Sumatra and Riau.

“The reports are not true and have no evidence,” Ito was quoted as saying by Antara on Wednesday when asked to comment on allegations that he had protected illegal logging players and gambling den operators in the past.

Neta S. Pane of the Indonesia Police Watch had criticized the National Police chief’s decision to promote Ito to the key post, citing Ito's questionable integrity.

The police internal supervision and profession affairs questioned Ito last year for allegedly leaving gambling practice unchecked in Riau when he was the police chief there. Following the questioning, Ito was withdrawn to Jakarta as the coordinator of National Police chief’s advisors.

Ito said he had clarified the accusations to National Police chief Gen. Bambang Hendarso Danuri, who said his subordinate was clean.

Ito suspected he was a victim of pranksters who could not accept his moves to fight crimes when he was the police chief in South Sumatra and Riau.

“I know who spread the accusations, but I don’t want this polemic to drag on,” he said.


http://www.thejakartapost.com/news/2009/11/25/new-detective-chief-denies-role-illegal-logging.html