TNI sides with Susilo in chief dispute<\/p>\n
Tiarma Siboro, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta<\/p>\n
Leaders of the Indonesian Military (TNI) stressed on Monday that
\nregardless of what the House of Representatives (DPR) said about
\nthe leadership change, they would only obey President Susilo
\nBambang Yudhoyono's decision on the issue.<\/p>\n
\"The President has yet to issue a decree on the reshuffle (of
\ntop TNI commanders), which will allow us to hold a ceremony to
\nhand over the leadership,\" TNI chief Gen. Endriartono Sutarto
\nannounced during a press conference here on Monday.<\/p>\n
Also present at the media briefing were Navy chief Adm.
\nBernard Kent Sondakh, Air Force chief Marshall Chappy Hakim, Army
\nchief Gen. Ryamizard Ryacudu and other top military officers.<\/p>\n
Endriartono's statement came just days after Susilo appeared
\nto have lost the battle with the House over the military
\nleadership change.<\/p>\n
The President, who had made known his desire to retain
\nEndriartono as TNI chief, sent a letter to the House to withdraw
\nformer president Megawati Soekarnoputri's letter on the
\nappointment of Gen. Ryamizard as acting TNI chief following the
\nresignation of Sutarto from the post.<\/p>\n
According to the law, the president, as the commander-in-chief
\nof the military, has the authority to appoint the TNI chief, with
\na stipulation that there should be House approval also.<\/p>\n
However, House leaders, all from parties that supported
\nMegawati in the Sept. 20 election, ignored Susilo's letter and
\nplanned to summon Ryamizard on Nov. 8 to explain his vision as
\nTNI chief.<\/p>\n
State Secretary Yusril Ihza Mahendra hinted last week that
\nSusilo could nominate Ryamizard as the new TNI chief.<\/p>\n
\"There is no change in the TNI leadership nor in its three
\nforces. I'm still the TNI commander,\" Endriartono.<\/p>\n
Endriartono also urged civilian politicians on Monday to
\nrefrain from treating the TNI as a political object.<\/p>\n
He also denied tendering a resignation letter to Megawati,
\nsaying that he submitted a letter about the \"regeneration
\nprocess\" in the TNI.<\/p>\n
\"She asked me to officially send a letter regarding the
\nregeneration issue and I did. But we both agreed to be more
\ncareful in deciding the time of the replacement,\" he said.<\/p>\n
Endriartono said he was surprised when Megawati sent a letter
\nto House leaders on Oct. 8 informing the lawmakers about his
\ndeparture and appointing Ryamizard as acting TNI chief.<\/p>\n
\"Indeed, it was her right to replace me. But it is also the
\nright of the new President (Susilo) to defend me,\" he said.<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/tni-sides-with-susilo-in-chief-dispute-1447893297",
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"sponsor": "Okusi Associates",
"sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com"
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