House accepts Endriartono after reshuffle dispute<\/p>\n
Kurniawan Hari, The Jakarta Post\/Jakarta<\/p>\n
The House of Representatives's defense commission held a hearing
\nwith Indonesian Military (TNI) chief Gen. Endriartono Sutarto
\nThursday, the first since the controversy surrounding
\nthe replacement of the TNI chief.<\/p>\n
During the hearing, which was presided over by commission
\nchairman Theo L. Sambuaga, some legislators questioned why
\nEndriartono continued in his post despite the acceptance of his
\nresignation by former president Megawati Soekarnoputri in
\nOctober.<\/p>\n
Responding to the questions, Endriartono said that he had
\nsuggested to Megawati that he be replaced for the sake of
\nregeneration.<\/p>\n
\"At that time, I had reached the mandatory retirement age, so
\nI thought it would be better for the president to give someone
\nelse the military's top post,\" Endriartono said.<\/p>\n
Megawati sent a letter to the House on Oct. 8, informing
\nlegislators that she intended to dismiss Endriartono and to
\nappoint Army chief of staff Gen. Ryamizard Ryacudu as TNI chief.<\/p>\n
Under the Indonesian Military (TNI) Law, the appointment of
\nthe TNI chief requires the consent of the House.<\/p>\n
In Oct. 25, however, President Susilo revoked the letter and
\ndeclared that Endriartono was still the TNI chief.<\/p>\n
The fact that Susilo revoked the letter allowed Endriartono to
\nstay on as military chief.<\/p>\n
Endriartono denied suggestions that was trying to maintain his
\nposition as TNI chief.<\/p>\n
Although he had called for regeneration, the final say was up
\nto the President. \"It do not have the right to make the decision
\nmyself,\" said Endriartono, who was also accompanied by Ryamizard.<\/p>\n
Endriartono said he could not just leave his post without the
\napproval of the President.<\/p>\n
The commission demanded on Thursday that the TNI evaluate its
\nbusiness activities and start planning to move out of business
\nactivities as required under the TNI Law (No.34\/2004).<\/p>\n
It also suggested that the TNI start drafting its annual
\nbudget estimates without taking into account the revenue the TNI
\ngains from its business activities.<\/p>\n
\"The TNI must draft a comprehensive plan to give up its
\nbusiness activities,\" Theo said.<\/p>\n
During the hearing, the TNI chief said that TNI's equipment
\nwas in poor shape, leaving the country vulnerable to foreign
\nattack.<\/p>\n
Currently, the total military establishment stands at 347,272,
\nincluding 268,661 personnel in the Army, 53,913 in the Navy, and
\n24,698 in the Air Force.<\/p>\n
Separately, commission deputy chairman Effendy Choirie of the
\nNational Awakening Party (PKB) said that he push ahead with an
\neffort to summon President Susilo to explain why he canceled the
\nreplacement of the TNI chief.<\/p>\n
State of the Indonesian Military
\n==============================================================
\nArmy : Kostrad - two combat divisions, consisting of 18<\/p>\n
infantry battalions and 16 other battalions<\/p>\n
Kopassus - four combat groups
\n--------------------------------------------------------------
\nNavy : 119 warships of various types, 201 smaller vessels,<\/p>\n
73 patrol aircraft, eight naval bases.<\/p>\n
The Navy says the ideal number of ships is 762.
\n--------------------------------------------------------------
\nAir Force: Seven combat squadrons, five carrier squadrons, one<\/p>\n
interceptor squadron, three helicopter squadrons, two<\/p>\n
training squadrons, 16 air bases. The Air Force says<\/p>\n
there is a need for 2,000 more aircraft.
\n=================================================================
\nSource: House\/TNI meeting<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/house-accepts-endriartono-after-reshuffle-dispute-1447893297",
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