Suharto's Message to the New National Police Chief
Kunarto asked for permission to meet with President Suharto before being sworn in as Chief of the National Police on February 20, 1991. He was confused about how to start his duties as a leader amid the depravity that was happening within the Indonesian National Police at that time. After waiting for some time, his application for permission to appear before Suharto was granted. Kunarto, who had been an aide to President Suharto for seven years (1979-1986) was very happy because he wanted to hear directly Pak Harto's direction for the position he would assume. "Oh you, when is the inauguration?" asked Suharto as quoted from a book entitled Pak Harto The Untold Stories (2012), Friday (5/8/2022). "Three more days, sir," replied Kunarto. During the meeting, Kunarto in Javanese told the story that he had been outside the Police for a long time, so that he could see a lot of depravity within the Indonesian National Police. Unexpectedly, he was later appointed as the National Police Chief, which meant that he had to fix things that were not good. "I don't know what to do and where to fix it. I ask for your guidance," said the 1962 graduate of the Police Science College (PTIK). Suharto did not immediately answer. He pondered for a long time as he leaned back in his favorite chair. Kunarto, who was ready with a writing utensil to take notes from Pak Harto's input, also fell into silence. The former West Nusa Tenggara Police Chief (1989-1990) hoped to receive instructions such as Prabu Rama's advice to Wibisono, who in the wayang is known as Hasta Brata. Three minutes passed, and President Suharto still contemplating in a reclining position in a chair. He then sat up straight and took a Klobot cigarette (slice of tobacco wrapped in corn leaves) and lit it. After the third puff, Pak Harto just spoke. Not much was said. Just a short sentence. "It's not difficult, Kunarto, the important thing is that you are good. As long as you are good, then everything will be fine," Suharto said. Kunarto did not immediately respond because he was still waiting for the sequel. However, after waiting for a while, President Suharto again said short. "Yeah, that's all," he said simply. After getting the advice, Kunarto immediately said goodbye and left the room. The former Deputy Chief of the Metro Jaya Police (1986) promised in his heart to carry out President Suharto's orders. From this advice, Kunarto, who officially became the National Police Chief (1991-1993) invited the Indonesian National Police to make a vow, "I am determine to serve the best". The relationship between Kunarto and Pak Harto is quite close. The man who was born in Yogyakarta, on June 8, 1940, was President Suharto's aide for a long time, from 1979 to 1986. In Kunarto's perspective, Pak Harto is a figure who should be followed. His daily life is simple and his thinking is very advanced. "The words that come out of his lips always have a deep meaning," said Kunarto, implying admiration for Suharto's figure. Perhaps because of this close relationship, Kunarto answered firmly that he would not be tasked with examining Suharto after he stepped down from the presidency in 1998. "I would never do it. In my view, Pak Harto is clean and spotless," he said when asked by reporters at a seminar in October 1998. "If President Habibie wants to examine Pak Harto, go ahead, as long as I don't do it. There will never be any use of state money related to Pak Harto," said Kunarto, who was appointed Deputy Chairman of the Financial Audit Agency (BPK) after not serving as National Police Chief. General (Purn) Kunarto died at the Surabaya International Hospital on September 28, 2011. His body was buried at STIK-PTIK Jakarta and buried in the Kalibata Heroes Cemetery in South Jakarta with a military ceremony.