House divided over military chief's resignation<\/p>\n
Kurniawan Hari and Tiarma Siboro, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta<\/p>\n
The resignation of Indonesian Military (TNI) Commander Gen.
\nEndriartono Sutarto has polarized the Nationhood Coalition and
\nthe People's Coalition in the House of Representatives in another
\ndebate.<\/p>\n
The House will convene a plenary session on Friday to discuss
\nthe resignation of the TNI chief, which was disclosed by
\nPresident Megawati Soekarnoputri in a letter to House Speaker
\nAgung Laksono last week.<\/p>\n
In the same letter, Megawati also named Army chief Gen.
\nRyamizard Ryacudu acting TNI chief, pending House approval.<\/p>\n
The Golkar faction, the largest with 127 seats, said on
\nWednesday the House needed to discuss and approve Endriartono's
\nresignation and Ryamizard's appointment as his replacement
\nimmediately.<\/p>\n
Golkar has the support of the Indonesian Democratic Party of
\nStruggle (PDI-P), the Prosperous Peace Party (PDS) and the Reform
\nStar Party (PBR). The factions are grouped under the Nationhood
\nCoalition, which has a combined strength of 264 seats.<\/p>\n
The rival camp, consisting of the United Development Party
\n(PPP), the Democratic Party, the National Mandate Party (PAN),
\nthe National Awakening Party (PKB), the Prosperous Justice Party
\n(PKS) and the Democratic Pioneer Star (BPD) factions, said
\ndiscussions should be delayed until the inauguration of the new
\npresident on Oct. 20.<\/p>\n
The People's Coalition controls 286 seats, meaning it will win
\non paper if the House calls for a vote to settle the dispute.<\/p>\n
Abdillah Toha, the PAN faction chairman, said a delay was
\nadvisable because the House had not formed a commission to deal
\nwith the issue, and because the resignation was tendered shortly
\nbefore the end of President Megawati Soekarnoputri's tenure.<\/p>\n
\"From an ethical point of view, the President should not make
\nany (key) decisions, as the end of her term is imminent,\" he
\nsaid.<\/p>\n
Moh. Akil Mochtar of Golkar contended the recommended delay,
\nsaying the House could form a special committee to discuss the
\npresidential letter.<\/p>\n
\"It must be discussed immediately because (Megawati) retains
\nexecutive power. We can discuss it through a House special
\ncommittee,\" he said.<\/p>\n
Separately, Ryamizard said he had no indications as to any
\nplans for a change of guard in the TNI.<\/p>\n
\"I didn't know about this. Why should I? Neither the TNI chief
\nnor the president contacted me,\" he told reporters on Wednesday
\nafter a meeting with retired senior military officers.<\/p>\n
Ryamizard asserted that he would stay away from the TNI
\nsuccession issue.<\/p>\n
\"Don't involve me (in the debate). People may accuse me for
\nseeking the TNI chief post or for being overeager,\" he said.<\/p>\n
Ryamizard also said he had yet to meet president-elect
\nSusilo Bambang Yudhoyono.<\/p>\n
Senior officials attending the military gathering include
\nformer vice president Try Sutrisno, home minister Hari Sabarno
\nand National Intelligence Agency chief A.M. Hendropriyono.<\/p>\n
Ryamizard said the gathering was part of an effort to maintain
\nnational unity.<\/p>\n
\"I expect to see no more discord after the inauguration. If
\nyou want to fight, do it during the next election five years from
\nnow,\" he said.<\/p>",
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