Tito Right Person to Lead Counter-Terrorism Agency: VP Kalla Says

Inauguration of BNPT Head (L) and Bakamla Chief

Jakarta, 07 Jumadil Akhir 1437/17 March 2016 (MINA) – Vice President M. Jusuf Kalla has assessed that Inspector General Tito Karnavian is the right person to lead the National Counter-Terrorism Agency (BNPT) as he has the relevant experience in combating terrorism.

“Karnavian has been inaugurated as chief of the National Anti-Terrorism Agency as he is the right person with experience in working with the Anti-terror Special Detachment 88 (Densus 88),” Kalla noted here on Wednesday.

At the Presidential Palace on Wednesday, President Joko Widodo inaugurated Karnavian as chief of the BNPT and Rear Admiral Arie Soedewo as chief of the Maritime Security Agency (Bakamla), Mi’raj Islamic News Ageny (MINA) quoted Antara News as reporting.

Tito and Arie were inaugurated to replace Saud Usman Nasution and Desy A. Mamahit who would enter their retirement period.

Tito was earlier the Metro Jaya Police chief while Arie was the logistics assistant chief of Naval staff.

Vice President Jusuf Kalla, Peoples Consultative Assembly (MPR) Chairman Zulkifli Hasan, State Intelligence Agency Chief Sutiyoso, Attorney General Muhammad Prasetyo, National Police Chief General Badrodin Haiti, and Coordinating Minister for Political, Legal and Security Affairs Luhut Binsar Panjaitan, among others, were present at the inauguration ceremony.

During the inauguration, the newly installed BNPT chief and Bakmala chief took oath before the president.

On assuming the new office, Tito will rise to the rank of three-star general while Arie will rise to the post of vice admiral. (T/R07/R01)

Mi’raj Islamic News Agency (MINA)