ABRI announces more leadership changes

JAKARTA (JP): The Armed Forces announced two more personnel changes in its leadership structure yesterday, in the posts of assistant to the chief of sociopolitical affairs and the commandant of the Infantry Weapons Center.

The current assistant to the chief of sociopolitical affairs, Maj. Gen. Suwarno Adiwijoyo, will be replaced by his deputy, Brig. Gen. Budi Harsono. The commandant of the Bandung-based Infantry Weapons Center, Maj. Gen. Rudi Mokoginta will be replaced also by his deputy Brig. Gen. Luhut Panjaitan, Antara reported yesterday.

ABRI chief spokesman Brig. Gen. Amir Syarifudin told the news agency that the two men replaced will be reassigned to the ABRI headquarters in order to prepare for their retirement.

The mandatory retirement age for senior military officers is 55.

Age was the reason behind the changes, Amir said. "It's normal because their time has come. There is no political reason behind the decision," he added.

The changes were ordered by ABRI Chief Gen. Feisal Tanjung in a letter dated Sept. 15, and the transfers of duty will take place next week. The two brigadier generals are expected to be promoted before they move to their new posts.

Luhut's current position will be filled by Col. Sudiyono P, the center's director for guidance and physical training. Antara did not say who will takeover Budi's current position.

Budi will become the new assistant to Lt. Gen. Syarwan Hamid, who holds a vital position in the military as the country prepares for next year's general election.

Syarwan has been active in popularizing ABRI's positions on various political issues in recent months.

Budi, 50 years old and hailing from Yogyakarta, is a 1967 graduate of the Military Academy.

He has had two stints in military operations in East Timor, and has served in the Diponegoro regional command in Central Java and the Siliwangi command in West Java.

Luhut, 49 years and hailing from North Sumatra, is a 1970 graduate of the Military Academy. He spent most of his early years in the Army in the elite Special Forces (Kopassus), before he moved to Weaponry Center in Bandung, first as commandant of the Infantry Education Center. (emb)