Widodo to stay but Tyasno may be replaced: Mahfud<\/p>\n
JAKARTA (JP): Speculation of the imminent replacement of
\nIndonesian Military (TNI) Chief Adm. Widodo A.S. was put to an
\nend on Friday, with defense minister Mahfud M.D. announcing that
\nthe armed forces commander would keep his job for at least one
\nmore year.<\/p>\n
In a span of six hours the minister revealed that the
\nreplacement of Army Chief of Staff Gen. Tyasno Sudarto is highly
\nprobable.<\/p>\n
Mahfud said after meeting with President Abdurrahman Wahid at
\nthe Merdeka Palace just before dusk that Tyasno's fate would be
\ndetermined within one or two days.<\/p>\n
"It is not definite yet, but just wait one or two days,"
\nMahfud was quoted by Antara.<\/p>\n
When asked to disclose the name of Tyasno's successor, Mahfud
\nsaid that the candidate for the job remained undecided.<\/p>\n
The news agency said Widodo and Cabinet Secretary Marsilam
\nSimanjuntak were also present on Friday.<\/p>\n
It has been rumored for weeks that Tyasno, who succeeded Gen.
\nSubagyo Hadisiswoyo last December, would be replaced. Deputy Army
\nChief of Staff Lt. Gen. Endriartono Sutarto, TNI Chief of
\nTerritorial Affairs Lt. Gen. Agus Widjojo and former chief of
\nArmy Strategic Reserves Command (Kostrad) Lt. Gen. Agus
\nWirahadikusumah have been tipped to take over from Tyasno.<\/p>\n
The Army was brought into the spotlight again following the
\narrest of two soldiers from the Army's elite units Kopassus and
\nKostrad who were allegedly involved in a series of bomb attacks
\nin the country.<\/p>\n
Earlier in the day, Mahfud denied widespread rumors of
\nWidodo's immediate exit from the TNI top post.<\/p>\n
"What I can confirm right now is that there will be no change
\nof guard in the military for at least one year," Mahfud told
\njournalists after Friday prayers.<\/p>\n
Mahfud hinted however that there would be a major reshuffle in
\nthe top ranks of the military saying that the decision was "still
\nbeing evaluated".<\/p>\n
"I think the decision (on the reshuffle) will be announced
\nsoon," he said.<\/p>\n
He added that top military positions currently "under
\nevaluation" were TNI chief of general affairs and the three armed
\nforces chiefs of staff.<\/p>\n
The TNI chief of general affairs post is now held by Lt. Gen.
\nDjamari Chaniago, with Air Marshal Hanafie Asnan and Adm. Ahmad
\nSutjipto holding the Air Force and Navy top jobs respectively.<\/p>\n
Mahfud's statement came only 24 hours after Lt. Gen. Agus
\nWidjojo said that the next TNI chief would be selected from the
\nAir Force.<\/p>\n
Agus said that there should not be any change in the
\nappointment of an Air Force candidate to be the next TNI chief
\nunless there was a political decision which forced the President
\nto alter the decision.<\/p>\n
Hanafie has so far been rumored to be the strongest candidate
\nto replace Widodo, who is reaching his retirement age of 55 this
\nyear.<\/p>\n
Analysts believe that Widodo was not in full control of other
\nmilitary branches, particularly the Army.<\/p>\n
Despite little evidence, many believe rogue elements in the
\nArmy were involved in a series of communal violence and bomb
\nattacks in the country.<\/p>\n
In the Straits Times interview which was published on
\nThursday, Mahfud said he expected another military reshuffle
\n"maybe in the next few days."<\/p>\n
"There will be a reshuffle soon so that new blood can move up
\nthe ranks," the newspaper quoted him as saying. (byg)<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/widodo-to-stay-but-tyasno-may-be-replaced-mahfud-1447893297",
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