Sacked police chief plans fresh snub to Wahid order

JAKARTA - Indonesia's sacked police chief, refusing a presidential order to step aside, will preside over a parade of 5000 police officers and some soldiers today in a fresh snub to President Abdurrahman Wahid's crumbling authority.

"As far as we are concerned, he is still the police chief ... so he has to chair the ceremony," said a Jakarta police spokesman after officials said that national commander General Surojo Bimantoro would officiate.

The parade in the capital's Merdeka (Freedom) Square outside the presidential palace is part of security preparations for tomorrow's centenary of the birth of founding president Sukarno.

Wahid has accused Bimantoro of meddling in politics and trying to pit him against popular Vice-President Megawati Sukarnoputri, Sukarno's daughter and the leader of Indonesia's largest party.

Indonesia's top legislature is due to meet in August to consider impeaching Wahid.

- REUTERS

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