​State Palace: President Joko Widodo will not appoint Budi Gunawan as National Police Chief

Finally, some clarity behind the will-he-won’t-he saga of President Joko Widodo appointing corruption suspect Budi Gunawan (BG) as the chief of National Police. After recent developments, it looks like we’ll soon have new police chief candidates.
 
Detik reported today that President Jokowi finally made the decision to cancel BG’s candidacy as the National Police Chief.
 
“The president will not appoint BG like it was rumored he would do today. The president reiterated that he will not appoint BG,” said a source from inside the State Palace, as quoted by Detik today. 
 
The source also said that Jokowi’s decision is final, and that he has informed the House of Representatives of his decision.
 
The president will also put forward new National Police Chief candidates to be considered by the House of Representatives. But Jokowi is keeping those names close to his chest for now, as the House of Representatives will soon go into recess.
 
“It depends on [which candidate] the President likes most,” the source said.
 
Cabinet Secretary Andi Widjajanto previously hinted that decision on BG’s candidacy would be made and announced in the near future.
 
“It could be announced in Solo or Bogor, it doesn’t matter, does it?” Andi said yesterday.
 
President Jokowi is working in the Bogor Palace this morning. He is due to depart to Solo this afternoon to attend a national meeting for the Hanura political party.