Debate on Widodo's replacement continues<\/p>\n
Lela E. Madjiah and Tiarma Siboro, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta<\/p>\n
Top security officers on Wednesday expressed mixed reactions on
\nthe possible replacement of incumbent Indonesian Military (TNI)
\nChief Adm. Widodo Adisutjipto.<\/p>\n
Minister of Defense Matori Abdul Djalil said the replacement
\nof the military chief was the prerogative of President Megawati
\nSoekarnoputri.<\/p>\n
\"The President has the authority to decide whether to extend
\nhis (Widodo's) term of office or not,\" he told reporters on the
\nsidelines of a coordination meeting of Cabinet members overseeing
\npolitical and security affairs on Wednesday.<\/p>\n
On Monday, House of Representatives Speaker Akbar Tandjung
\nsaid Megawati was considering replacing Widodo in the near
\nfuture, but stopped short of mentioning any prospective
\nsuccessors.<\/p>\n
The issue of Widodo's replacement was raised despite a
\nstatement by Air Marshal Hanafie Asnan that all military chiefs
\nof staff wanted Widodo to be retained in his current post to
\nmaintain the solidity within the military.<\/p>\n
In an apparent move to oppose the replacement of the incumbent
\nmilitary chief, TNI spokesman Rear Marshall Graito Usodo said
\nthat based on a decree issued on June 22, 1999 by the then
\nminister of defense\/armed forces chief Gen. Wiranto, Widodo would
\nretire on Aug. 31, 2004.<\/p>\n
Endriartono confirmed Graito's statement, saying the
\nreplacement of the TNI chief should not affect the solidity among
\nthe military forces.<\/p>\n
\"The replacement of the TNI chief should take into account
\nseveral considerations, such as the situation of war, the
\nsolidity among the forces and regeneration among the TNI chiefs.<\/p>\n
\"We (the TNI) are currently prioritizing efforts to maintain
\nthe solidity among us and therefore we consider it best not to
\nreplace Widodo,\" Endriartono said during a Ramadhan breaking of
\nthe fast gathering at his residence in Jakarta.<\/p>\n
Similar opposition has also been voiced by Hanafie and Navy
\nChief of Staff Adm. Indroko Satrowiryono.<\/p>\n
Under Decree No. VII\/2000 issued by the People's Consultative
\nAssembly (MPR), the police and TNI commanders are appointed and
\ndismissed by the President after approval from the House.<\/p>\n
The possible candidates floated by unnamed military officers
\nincluded Army Chief of Staff Gen. Endriartono Sutarto, TNI Chief
\nof General Affairs Lt. Gen. Djamari Chaniago, former army chief
\nGen. Tyasno Sudarto and current Air Force Chief of Staff Air
\nMarshall Hanafie Asnan.<\/p>\n
Djamari is reportedly the strongest candidate to replace
\nWidodo as the House would likely back Megawati's possible
\ndecision to appoint \"a younger chief to lead the military\".<\/p>\n
Widodo's replacement was raised because he was entering the
\nmandatory retirement age. But, rumors about his replacement were
\nflatly denied by the Cilangkap Military Headquarters in East
\nJakarta.<\/p>\n
In an apparent move to oppose the replacement of the incumbent
\nmilitary chief, TNI spokesman Rear Marshall Graito Usodo said
\nthat based on a decree issued on June 22, 1999 by the then
\nminister of defense\/armed forces chief Gen. Wiranto, Widodo would
\nretire on Aug. 31, 2004.<\/p>\n
Endriartono confirmed Graito's statement, saying the
\nreplacement of the TNI chief should not affect the solidity among
\nthe military forces.<\/p>\n
\"The replacement of the TNI chief should take into account
\nseveral considerations, such as the situation of war, the
\nsolidity among the forces and regeneration among the TNI chiefs.<\/p>\n
\"We (the TNI) are currently prioritizing efforts to maintain
\nthe solidity among us and therefore we consider it best not to
\nreplace Widodo,\" Endriartono said during a Ramadhan breaking of
\nthe fast gathering at his residence in Jakarta.<\/p>\n
Similar opposition has also been voiced by Hanafie and Navy
\nChief of Staff Adm. Indroko Satrowiryono.<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/debate-on-widodos-replacement-continues-1447893297",
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