ABRI unveils leadership reshuffle

ABRI unveils leadership reshuffle

JAKARTA (JP): Chief spokesman for the Armed Forces (ABRI)
Brig. Gen. Syarwan Hamid confirmed yesterday a series of changes
in the military's top leadership that have been the subject of
speculation in recent weeks.

President Soeharto, as ABRI supreme commander, has appointed
R. Hartono as the new Army Chief of Staff and promoted him to the
rank of four-star general, which went into effect on Feb. 1.

He replaces Gen. Wismoyo Arismunandar, who will reach the
mandatory retirement age of 55 this Friday.

Hartono's current position as ABRI chief of socio-political
affairs will be filled by Maj. Gen. Ma'aruf, currently assistant
to the chief of general affairs.

Another major change in ABRI headquarters is the appointment
of Maj. Gen. Soeyono, currently chief of the Diponegoro Military
Command in Central Java, who becomes chief of general affairs. He
replaces Lt. Gen. H.B. Mantiri, who turned 55 last September.

Syarwan said President Soeharto issued three long-awaited
decrees yesterday: one on the appointment of Hartono, another to
promote Hartono to a higher rank and a third to officially retire
Wismoyo.

Hartono will take his oath as Army Chief of Staff at a
ceremony before President Soeharto at the State Palace on
Saturday. The transfer ceremony from Wismoyo to Hartono will be
held at the Army headquarters on Monday.

Hartono and Mantiri will formally hand over their posts to
their successors at a ceremony at ABRI headquarters tomorrow,
Syarwan said.

Speculations that Wismoyo's military career was coming to an
end were further strengthened when he was appointed as chairman
of the National Sports Committee (KONI) early this month.

Syarwan played down the significance that Hartono had been
chosen for the Army's top post over Wismoyo's currently deputy,
Lt. Gen. Soerjadi. In the past, the Army Chief of Staff was
traditionally succeeded by his deputy.

"There's nothing in the regulation that says an Army chief of
staff must be succeeded by his deputy." he told reporters. "I
think it's a question of the right man for the job."

Appointments of top military positions are the prerogatives of
the President and the head of state, he added, also has the right
to extend the service of any officers beyond retirement age if he
so wishes.

Syarwan declined to speculate on Hartono's future, which will
be in the balance when he reaches the mandatory age of 55 in June
1996. "The President could extend his service. Or, Hartono could
hold the Army chief of staff job until then. I don't know."

Asked about the position of ABRI Chief Gen. Feisal Tanjung,
whose active duty has already been extended beyond retirement age
by President Soeharto, Syarwan joked: "I don't know. It's not in
my crystal ball."

Syarwan said there will also be leadership changes in the
Navy, Air Force and the National Police as a number of them have
already reached retirement age.

Lt. Gen. Soerjadi will also be replaced, he said.

Soerjadi and Mantiri are apparently being considered for
ambassadorial posts. (rms)