TNI working on reshuffle<\/p>\n
Tiarma Siboro, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta<\/p>\n
Indonesian Military (TNI) Commander Adm. Widodo AS admitted on
\nThursday that the institution was in the midst of a major
\nreshuffle, while adding that replacements in the level of top
\nbrass remained undecided.<\/p>\n
\"The TNI is committed to regeneration among high-ranking
\nofficers as part of our personnel development, but the changing
\nof the guard depends greatly on the interests of our superiors,\"
\nWidodo said at a press conference at the TNI Headquarters in
\nCilangkap, East Jakarta, at the end of its two-day leadership
\nconference.<\/p>\n
He was referring to President Megawati Soekarnoputri, who
\naccording to the Indonesian Constitution, is the military's
\nsupreme commander.<\/p>\n
According to Widodo, the conference also included discussion
\nof a reshuffle among the TNI's high-ranking officers, except for
\nthose at the level of lieutenant general and general.<\/p>\n
The TNI reshuffle regularly takes place twice a year in April
\nand October.<\/p>\n
There has been much speculation about a reshuffle in the TNI's
\ntop brass over the past few months after a Megawati aide said
\nthat the President was seeking a new TNI chief.<\/p>\n
The 2001 Defense Law restricts the race for TNI chief to
\nofficers with a military rank of four stars, or those who have
\nexperience as a chief of staff.<\/p>\n
Army Chief of Staff Gen. Endriartono Sutarto and his
\npredecessor, Gen. Tyasno Sudarto, have been suggested as the
\nstrongest candidates to replace Widodo.<\/p>\n
Endriartono will enter his mandatory retirement age in April,
\nbut he can opt to have his service extended if he takes over the
\nTNI top post.<\/p>\n
Deputy Army Chief of Staff Lt. Gen. Kiki Syahnakrie will
\nreportedly replace Lt. Gen. Jhony Lumintang as the Ministry of
\nDefense secretary-general. Both will soon retire.<\/p>\n
There have been reports that several military officers
\nallegedly held accountable in past human rights abuses in East
\nTimor would be promoted to the strategic position.<\/p>\n
They include former Udayana Military commander Maj. Gen. Adam
\nDamiri, who reportedly will be promoted as the Army's Strategic
\nReserves Command (Kostrad); former East Timor Military commander
\nBrig. Gen. Tono Suratman, who is likely to take up the Jakarta
\nGarrison chief of staff post, and Maj. Gen. Sjafrie Sjamsoeddin,
\nwho has been tipped to serve as the TNI spokesman, or as the
\nMilitary Academy governor.<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/tni-working-on-reshuffle-1447893297",
"image": ""
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"sponsor": "Okusi Associates",
"sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com"
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