Aceh military gets new spokesman

JAKARTA: Lt. Col. Asep Sapari will soon be installed as the new spokesman for the military operation in Nanggroe Aceh Darussalam, replacing Lt. Col. Ahmad Yani Basuki.

Aceh military operation commander Brig. Gen. George Toisutta is to formally install him in mid-January.

Asep is known for his openness to journalists and has experience in handling the Army public relations. Meantime, Ahmad Yani will be transferred to a new posting, which has yet to be disclosed, at Indonesian Military Headquarters in Jakarta.

TNI also plans to reshuffle other personnel in Aceh, saying this was needed to maintain the effectiveness of the operation.

Despite the controversy over the government's policy in Aceh, martial law in the province was extended for another six months on Nov. 19 last year. -- Antara