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)