Indonesian police gather in 2012 ahead of the 10th anniversary of the attack in Bali. PHOTO: SONNY TUMBELAKA/AFP/Getty Images
The post for Bali’s highest ranking police official remains vacant, ever since Bali Police Chief Inspector General Ronny F. Sompie moved on to bigger and better things when he got his dream job as director general of Indonesian Immigration.
Sompie was sworn in to his new office last month on August 10 in Jakarta and reportedly temporarily handed over the Bali Police reins on August 8 to an acting police chief, Deputy Chief Brig. Gen. Nyoman Suryasta.
But observers worry that Sompie’s post has been vacant too long and a permanent police chief is needed ASAP.
As acting police chief, Suryasta does the daily tasks of his former boss, but he doesn’t have full authority and can’t make decisions for strategic policy, according to Denpost.
Neta S. Pane of Indonesia Police Watch (IPW) explained his concerns to Tribun Bali about leaving the post vacant so long.
“Bali is a world-class tourism destination and has been rocked by terrorist bombings,” Pane said, also mentioning the urgency of securing the upcoming local elections in Bali.
According to Pane, there’s been enough of this silliness and police should just formally promote Suryasta.
Head of PR for Bali Police, Hery Wiyanto told Denpost that there’s still no official successor lined up to take Sompie’s place.
