Agus' replacement well planned, Tyasno says

Agus' replacement well planned, Tyasno says

JAKARTA (JP): Army Chief of Staff Gen. Tyasno Sudarto asserted
on Tuesday that the replacement of Army Strategic Reserves
Command (Kostrad) chief Lt. Gen. Agus Wirahadikusumah was free
from political motives.

Speaking after installing the new Kostrad chief Maj. Gen.
Ryamizard Ryacudu, Tyasno said the decision was taken purely for
the sake of operational improvement inside the Army.

"The decision was taken according to standard procedures so
this definitely did not come abruptly. It looks surprising
because it was made several days before the People's Consultative
Assembly Annual Session," said Tyasno.

The sudden replacement of outspoken Agus has drawn a variety
of speculations. Some have suggested it was linked to the finding
of irregularities worth Rp 190 billion that following an audit
into a Kostrad foundation, which reportedly involves a number of
Kostrad senior officers.

Agus suspended two colonels following the audit.

"The decision was not linked at all to the audit, the result
of which had been reported by Agus Wirahadikusumah. The Army
headquarters has formed a team to follow up the report," Tyasno
said.

He asserted that when the team from the Army Inspectorate
General has completed their investigation, he will be the one who
will unveil the findings to the public.

In his speech, Tyasno stressed that every soldier should
follow the chain of command and show loyalty to their superiors.
He underlined that soldiers should act in accordance with the
standards that have been set by the TNI.

Former Indonesian Military (TNI) chief Gen. (ret) Wiranto,
with whom Agus was involved in a polemic prior to the former's
resignation, denied allegations that he had influenced the TNI to
dismiss Agus.

"It is impossible and I would never have done such a thing.
Although I am already retired, I am a professional soldier, who
understands perfectly about the standard procedures of promotion
and rotation," said Wiranto, who was among retired and senior
Army officers attending the ceremony.

He added that the TNI council for high-ranking promotions and
duty rotations always works independently and no outsider can
influence the process inside the council. (dja)