ABRI academies get new chief

ABRI academies get new chief

JAKARTA (JP): Vice Adm. Achmad Sutjipto was installed
yesterday as the new commandant general of the Armed Forces'
academies, replacing Lt. Gen. Tamlicha Ali.

Minister of Defense and Security/Armed Forces (ABRI) Commander
Gen. Wiranto led the transfer of duty ceremony held at ABRI
Headquarters in Cilangkap, East Jakarta.

Also present were Army Chief Gen. Subagyo HS, Chief of the
Armed Forces Staff and Command School Lt. Gen. Prabowo Subianto
and Secretary-General of the Ministry of Defense and Security Lt.
Gen. Suyono.

Sutjipto was formerly commander of the Navy's Western Fleet.

Wiranto said during the ceremony that the regular change of
command over the academies was aimed at improving the military
educational system's effectiveness.

"We realize that the transfer is held amid a crisis situation
and the spreading demand for total reform," he said, possibly
referring to the spate of transfers in the military's senior
posts over the last two weeks.

"The Armed Forces' academies are expected to play a strategic
and vital role in producing professional and loyal cadets in
meeting all challenges faced by the nation as it enters the era
of globalization and reform," he said as quoted by Antara.

The military academies -- the Army Academy in Magelang,
Central Java; the Navy Academy in Surabaya, East Java; the Air
Force Academy in Yogyakarta and the National Police Academy in
Semarang, Central Java -- have contributed greatly to the
nation's development, he said.

He thanked Tamlicha for his service in developing the
academies and wished him success in his next assignment.

Tamlicha will be appointed secretary-general of the Ministry
of Transmigration and Resettlement of Forest Squatters. (rms)