Megawati considers replacing TNI chief<\/p>\n
Abu Hanifah, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta<\/p>\n
President Megawati Soekarnoputri is considering replacing
\nIndonesian Military (TNI) chief Adm. Widodo Adisutjipto as soon
\nas possible, House of Representatives Speaker Akbar Tandjung said
\non Monday.<\/p>\n
However, Akbar said Megawati did not name any candidates to
\nreplace Widodo during his meeting with her before leaving for
\nSouth Korea on Nov. 12.<\/p>\n
\"When I met her she told me that she is considering several
\ncandidates (to replace Widodo). But she did not mention any
\nnames. Neither did I ask further,\" Akbar told journalists in
\nJakarta.<\/p>\n
He said the President would propose the candidates to the
\nHouse in the near future for approval.<\/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 and Tyasno are the youngest candidates to replace
\nWidodo. They are expected to retire between two or three years
\nlater.<\/p>\n
Under the decree No. VII\/2000 issued by the People's
\nConsultative Assembly (MPR), the police and TNI commanders are
\nappointed and dismissed by the President after approval from the
\nHouse.<\/p>\n
Widodo was appointed by then president Abdurrahman Wahid in
\n1999. He was the first TNI commander not from the Army whose top
\nfigures used to lead the military during the autocratic rule of
\nformer president Soeharto.<\/p>\n
Previously, Air Marshall Hanafi Asnan said all military chiefs
\nwanted Widodo retained in his current post in a bid to maintain
\nsolidity within the TNI.<\/p>\n
The military has been accused of rampant human rights abuses
\nin the rebellious provinces of Aceh and Irian Jaya as well as
\nEast Timor. However, the TNI's top generals have never been
\nbrought to justice.<\/p>\n
Reforms within the TNI have also struggled as it refused to
\nstay away from practical politics while old forces have still
\nmaintained a strong grip.<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/megawati-considers-replacing-tni-chief-1447893297",
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