Generals' retirement confirmed<\/p>\n
JAKARTA (JP): After much speculation, President Abdurrahman
\nWahid has finally confirmed that Coordinating Minister for
\nPolitical Affairs and Security Gen. Wiranto and three other
\nactive military officers serving in the Cabinet will retire on
\nMarch 31.<\/p>\n
\"They will be retired as of March 31, and I have signed the
\ndecrees,\" Abdurrahman told journalists after chairing a plenary
\nCabinet meeting at Bina Graha presidential office here on
\nThursday.<\/p>\n
\"Why on March 31? Well, because military regulations are like
\nthat,\" the President remarked, without actually revealing when he
\nsigned the documents.<\/p>\n
Wiranto, Minister of Mines and Energy Lt. Gen. Susilo Bambang
\nYudhoyono, Minister of Communication Lt. Gen. Agum Gumelar and
\nState Minister of Administrative Reforms Rear Adm. Freddy Numberi
\nwill retire at the same time.<\/p>\n
Military tradition usually accords retirement status to
\nofficers on their 55th birthday.<\/p>\n
Law No. 2\/1988 stipulates the mandatory retirement age of
\nmilitary personnel as 55. However, as the Indonesian Military's
\n(TNI) supreme commander the president can extend an officer's
\nactive service duty.<\/p>\n
Wiranto will turn 53 on April. 4.<\/p>\n
Agum was born on Dec. 1, 1945, while Freddy was born on Oct.
\n15, 1947.<\/p>\n
Susilo is the youngest of the four, born on Sept. 9, 1949.<\/p>\n
\"I signed the decree of their retirement as required by
\ngovernment regulations ... It is not because of my own intention
\nor initiative,\" Abdurrahman emphasized.<\/p>\n
Under the climate of political reform, it has been stipulated
\nthat TNI and police officers serving at a government post must
\nresign from active service.<\/p>\n
When pressed on the timing of the resignation, Abdurrahman
\nmerely replied that \"their retirement is actually even too late\".<\/p>\n
Wiranto himself was reluctant to comment on his retirement,
\narguing that further comment might cause unnecessary confusion.<\/p>\n
He initially promised to talk to journalists after the Cabinet
\nmeeting, but quickly left the presidential office after it
\nfinished.<\/p>\n
\"I do not want to make any repetitions. I have talked once, if
\nI repeat my statement it will trigger differing perceptions,\"
\nsaid Wiranto.<\/p>\n
Citing a military tradition, the general had previously hinted
\nthat his retirement should fall on his birthday.<\/p>\n
Wiranto's resignation in particular has been the subject of
\nmuch talk, as he is at the center of many high profile affairs.<\/p>\n
By retiring, the former Armed Forces commander will lose his
\nformal links with the military power base.<\/p>\n
Separately, Agum said that as a soldier he should obey
\nwhatever the President orders him to do.<\/p>\n
\"I will abide by his instruction,\" said the former commander
\nof the Army's Special Force (Kopasus).<\/p>\n
Freddy, who still holds the post of Irian Jaya governor,
\nclaimed if he was allowed to choose, he would prefer to return to
\nmilitary duty.<\/p>\n
Coup<\/p>\n
Meanwhile, Abdurrahman again dismissed speculation of a
\npossible military coup during his 16-day overseas trip abroad,
\nwhich starts on Friday.<\/p>\n
He expressed confidence that Vice President Megawati
\nSoekarnoputri would take care of the country in his absence.<\/p>\n
\"Whatever necessary policies she will take, in security and
\nother fields, is up to her. Nothing is hidden between me and
\nher,\" the President remarked.<\/p>\n
Abdurrahman has repeatedly claimed that almost all military
\nofficers are loyal to him.<\/p>\n
\"They are cowards, the ones who say they are loyal in front of
\nme but behind my back say something different,\" he said of the
\nfew who may be disloyal.<\/p>\n
Minister of Defense Juwono Sudarsono also assured the public
\nthat the military would not topple the President during his
\nabsence.<\/p>\n
\"TNI does not have the intention or the capability to do such
\nthings,\" Juwono remarked.<\/p>\n
The President and his entourage will depart to Saudi Arabia on
\nFriday morning as a part of a tour to 13 countries.<\/p>\n
He will continue his trip to Switzerland, Britain, France,
\nGermany, Belgium, the Netherlands, Italy, the Vatican and Czech
\nRepublic, before visiting India, South Korea and Thailand on his
\nway home.<\/p>\n
He is expected to arrive back in Jakarta on Feb. 13.<\/p>\n
Separately, foreign minister Alwi Shihab denied reports here
\non Thursday that the President would be going to Australia in
\nMarch, saying that a date has yet to be set. (prb\/mds)<\/p>",
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"sponsor": "Okusi Associates",
"sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com"
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