ABRI sociopolitical wing reorganized

JAKARTA (JP): The Armed Forces (ABRI) headquarters has announced a structural reorganization of its sociopolitical division, exactly one day ahead of the opening of the Special Session of the People's Consultative Assembly (MPR).

Minister of Defense and Security/Armed Forces Commander Gen. Wiranto told a media conference on Monday evening that the reorganization would include a revision of the responsibilities of the Armed Forces Chief of Sociopolitical Affairs.

"Under the structural reorganization, the post of Armed Forces Chief of Sociopolitical Affairs will be expanded to become a new post known as the Armed Forces Chief of Territorial Affairs.

"The Armed Forces Chief of Territorial Affairs will supervise the Assistant for Territorial Affairs, a post formerly under the supervision of the Armed Forces Chief of General Affairs and Assistant for Sociopolitical Affairs," he said.

He did not say when this reorganization would take effect, saying only: "We will ratify the new structure as soon as possible. Hopefully, it can be implemented before the MPR's Special Session."

Wiranto said Lt. Gen. Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono would be moved to the new post from his current position as the Armed Forces Chief of Sociopolitical Affairs.

Regarding the Assistant for Non-Military Personnel Affairs, a post formerly under the supervision of ABRI's Chief of Sociopolitical Affairs, Wiranto said the post would be merged with the Assistant for Personnel Affairs, a post which falls under the supervision of ABRI's Chief of General Affairs.

He said the reorganization would have a significant impact on members of the Armed Forces currently assigned to non-military posts. "Any member of the Armed Forces must now leave active military service before he or she can be assigned to any governmental post or other non-military duties," he said.

He disclosed that the Armed Forces headquarters was now determining which of its personnel would be assigned to non- military duties.

"ABRI headquarters will assign 0.05 percent of its staff to non-military duties," he said.

However, he dismissed the possibility that the new structure would automatically bring the Armed Forces' presence in the House of Representatives (DPR) to an end. "ABRI's representation in DPR is a different issue," he said. (imn)