Only one candidate for TNI chief, says minister<\/p>\n
Tiarma Siboro, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta<\/p>\n
President Megawati Soekarnoputeri looks set to name just one
\ncandidate for the new Indonesian Military (TNI) chief post early
\nnext month in the hope the House of Representatives can give its
\napproval before it goes into recess on March 28.<\/p>\n
Her decision to forward just one name to the House signals her
\ndetermination to expedite the process and not to allow any
\nfaction to politicize the replacement of Adm. Widodo AS.<\/p>\n
Coordinating Minister for Political and Security Affairs
\nSusilo Bambang Yudhoyono suggested on Friday that it was well
\nwithin Megawati's right to name a single candidate as \"the
\nPresident holds the prerogative right to select any military
\ncommander\".<\/p>\n
\"The House does not choose, but gives its approval. The choice
\nis up to the president,\" he said, in obvious reference to
\nPeople's Consultative Decree VII\/2000.<\/p>\n
\"Of course Ibu (Megawati) will propose the name after
\nconsidering all suggestions regarding the most feasible
\ncandidate,\" Susilo told reporters at his office.<\/p>\n
The submission of only one candidate is likely to draw
\ncriticism from legislators who have insisted that the President
\nforward at least two names.<\/p>\n
The timing of the submission of the candidate to the House is
\npending the return of House Speaker and Golkar Party chairman
\nAkbar Tandjung from his haj pilgrimage.<\/p>\n
The replacement of Widodo has long been a much talked about
\nissue, particularly after Akbar Tandjung revealed in November
\n2001 that the President was ready to replace the TNI chief, who
\nis pass retirement age.<\/p>\n
However, Megawati at the time was opposed by the chiefs of
\nstaff who maintained that it was best to retain Widodo as
\nmilitary chief in order to maintain TNI's unity.<\/p>\n
Widodo, a 1968 graduate of the Navy Academy, reached the
\nretirement age of 55 in 1999. But his term of office was extended
\npending the appointment of a new TNI chief.<\/p>\n
The new Defense Law passed in November stipulates that only
\nofficers in active duty, who have experience as a chief of staff,
\nare eligible for the top TNI post.<\/p>\n
This means that there are currently only four possible
\ncandidates: Army Chief of Staff Gen. Endriartono Sutarto and his
\npredecessor Gen. Tyasno Sudarto, Navy Chief of Staff Adm. Indroko
\nSastrowiryono, Air Force Chief of Staff Marshall Hanafie Asnan.<\/p>\n
Endriartono will be 55 in April while Tyasno and Indroko will
\nreach that age next year. Hanafie is over 55 and has had his
\nservice extended for five years by then president Abdurrahman
\nWahid in November, 2000.<\/p>\n
The race took an intriguing turn recently when Indonesian
\nDemocratic Party of Struggle legislator Raja Kami Sembiring
\nMeliala, who is known to be a close advisor of Megawati on
\nmilitary affairs, suggested that TNI chief of general affairs Lt.
\nGen. Djamari Chaniago was a potential candidate.<\/p>\n
Djamari, a 1972 Armed Forces Academy graduate, was seen as a
\npotential alternative and is still two years from retirement age.<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/only-one-candidate-for-tni-chief-says-minister-1447893297",
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