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)