TNI announces major reshuffle<\/p>\n
Tiarma Siboro, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta<\/p>\n
The Indonesian Military (TNI) announced on Friday a major
\nreshuffle which affected 118 high-ranking officers, including
\nMaj. Gen. Sjafrie Sjamsoeddin, who has been named the new TNI
\nspokesman.<\/p>\n
Sjafrie, the Jakarta Military commander at the time of the
\ntragic incident at Trisakti University that claimed four lives
\ntook place in May 1998, will replace Rear Marshal Graito Usodo,
\nwho will retire after having his service extended by two years.<\/p>\n
Graito said TNI chief Adm. Widodo AS, after putting a final
\ntouch, signed the order stipulating the reshuffle late in the
\nevening.<\/p>\n
The reshuffle came hours after Widodo held a meeting with
\nPresident Megawati Soekarnoputri at her residence on Jl. Teuku
\nUmar in Central Jakarta. There was no official statement
\nregarding the subject of the talks.<\/p>\n
But Graito refused to link the reshuffle with the closed-door,
\nhigh-profile meeting.<\/p>\n
\"The announcement has proven that speculation surrounding the
\nreshuffle which has been reported in the media is not true,\"
\nGraito said.<\/p>\n
\"This is just a rotation which has long been prepared through
\na standardized and fair planning system.\"<\/p>\n
Other prominent names in the list included Military Police
\nchief Maj. Gen. Djasri Marin, Bukit Barisan Military Commander
\noverseeing the northern part of Sumatra Maj. Gen. IGK Purnawa and
\nDiponegoro Military Commander overseeing Central Java Maj. Gen.
\nSoemarsono.<\/p>\n
Djasri, who is leading a military team to investigate the
\nkilling of Papuan independence leader Theys Hiyo Eluay, will take
\nup a legislative post in the House of Representatives. He will be
\nreplaced by Brig. Gen. Sulaiman.<\/p>\n
Purnawa will be given a non-portfolio job as a TNI chief
\nspecialist in place of Maj. Gen. Djoko Besariman, who is
\nretiring. Brig. Gen. Idris Gasing will be promoted as Purnawa's
\nsuccessor.<\/p>\n
Soemarsono will serve at the Army Strategic Reserves Command
\n(Kostrad) as the chief of staff. The deputy operational assistant
\nto Army chief of staff Brig. Gen. Cornel Simbolon has been
\npromoted as the new Diponegoro military commander.<\/p>\n
But top officers involved in the deliberation of the change of
\nguard in the TNI remained tightlipped about the much-awaited
\nsuccession, drawing speculation of a silent tug of war between
\nthe military top brass and the President.<\/p>\n
Both Army Chief of Staff Gen. Endriartono Sutarto and Navy
\nChief of Staff Adm. Indroko Sastrowardoyo insisted on Friday that
\nthe replacement of TNI Chief Adm. Widodo AS was up to Megawati,
\nwho according to the Constitution is the TNI supreme commander.<\/p>\n
\"The TNI High Ranking Promotions and Duty Rotation Council
\n(Wanjakti) has yet to select any candidate for TNI chief. This
\npost should be consulted with the President first,\" Endriartono
\ntold a media conference that wound up an Army leadership meeting.<\/p>\n
\"We have completed the reshuffle, which affects only officers
\nbelow the level of lieutenant general.\"<\/p>\n
At 58, Widodo is the most senior active officer. He has had
\nhis service extended to enable him escape the mandatory
\nretirement age.<\/p>\n
Many, including House legislators, have urged the President to
\nimmediately replace Widodo for the sake of regeneration of TNI
\npersonnel.<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/tni-announces-major-reshuffle-1447893297",
"image": ""
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"sponsor": "Okusi Associates",
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