REPUBLIKA.CO.ID, SOLO -- President Joko Widodo (Jokowi) met with leaders of his Great Indonesia Coalition in Solo, Central Java, to discuss, among others, the national police chief issue.

The President confirmed that he had discussed the issue of Commissioner General Budi Gunawan's nomination as National Police Chief.

"As is the case with every meeting, many issues were discussed and one of them was the BG issue," he said upon arrival at the Halim Perdanakusumah air force base in Jakarta on Saturday.

The President was returning from a visit to Solo, Central Java.

He said that during the meeting, President Jokowi reiterated the aim of the KIH's Founders, which is to support his election and his government until the end of its term in 2019.

"We reaffirmed that there should not be any conflict between Jokowi, Megawati and Surya Paloh, nor between Jokowi and the KIH parties," he said after visiting the Al Muayyad Islamic boarding school in Mangkuyudan.

He said President Jokowi stated that he did not have the slightest inclination of leaving the KIH or vice versa, adding that the President and the KIH do not have differing views or political orientations.

KIH only wished that the President follow constitutional provisions and the law while taking any political step or decision.

Romarhurmuzy also said the meeting had touched upon the current crisis related to the national police chief nomination.

In this context, he said, the President must be protected so that he remains on the constitutional track, with regards to a solution for the crisis.

He said there are three kinds of processes underway with regards to the solution of the problem, which can be political, legal and ethical.

In terms of politics, the parliament has already decided to approve the nomination of the Commissioner General Budi Gunawan as the National Police Chief. The decision has reached at been through an acclamation in the House Commission III, as well as through a plenary session.

With regards to the legal process, he said, President Jokowi is currently faced with the fact that the issue has now been referred to him back after the parliament granted its approval.

Constitutional law experts however have different views with regards to the ethical aspect of the issue, he said.

Romahurmuzy said that more than the law, there was the question of ethics, but support for ethics has been erratic and that public opinions differ.

"In view of that, we must hold on to something, which is certain and not dubious, namely norms and law. What the law on the police states and the decree of the People's Consultative Assembly (MPR) in 2001 states is that the President may appoint a police chief after his candidacy is approved by the parliament," he said.

He said the present candidate has legal problems and in view of that the police are seeking a legal recourse.

"With regards to that we have agreed that the President will decide only after the court ruling to avoid a different interpretation," he said.

Romahurmuzy said he hoped the explanation will end speculation about the President's view on how to deal with the issue.

"We only have two days left and so we should not force the President to decide something where a decision has already been issued. As there are still some people, who are awaiting justice, let us also wait until a court ruling has been delivered," he said.

When asked to confirm his decision on the BG issue at Halim Perdanakusumah, President Jokowi said "I cannot reveal it but it will be implemented as quickly as possible."

If confirmed, it will be implemented after the current pretrial process is over. He said "I can't extend it for another day."

Regarding the names of other candidates, President Jokowi said he was never officially been informed about them.

He emphasized the importance of taking suggestions and inputs from various parties keeping the parliament in the loop about any developments.

Budi Gunawan has filed a pretrial motion in an effort to revoke his status as a corruption suspect imposed by the Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) that had forced the President to postpone his inauguration as National Police Chief.

The court process is still ongoing and its conclusion is expected to take place on Monday.

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