Agus vows to do his best as new Kostrad chief
Agus vows to do his best as new Kostrad chief
JAKARTA (JP): Newly appointed Army Strategic Reserve Command
(Kostrad) chief Maj. Gen. Agus Wirahadikusumah played down
critics who questioned his eligibility for the post.
Agus said on Thursday before attending a dialog between Army
top brass and retired generals, that it was not he who assessed
his capability to become Kostrad chief, a strategic post viewed
as a stepping stone to the Army chief of staff position.
"I knew nothing about the decision on my promotion. The
President has assessed me, and so have the TNI leaders. Most
important is that wherever I am stationed I will do my best for
the people, the government, TNI and the nation," he said.
Former TNI chief Gen. Wiranto and outgoing Kostrad chief Lt.
Gen. Djadja Suparman expressed their disappointment with Agus'
promotion, saying he did not fit the post due to his lack of
ethics and inclination toward politics.
Wiranto, who was upset by Agus' advice that he bow to
President Abdurrahman Wahid's call for his resignation for
alleged involvement in East Timor atrocities last year, even
likened his outspoken junior as a bad perkutut, Javanese
equivalent for small singing turtle dove.
Agus said on Thursday that as a professional soldier he was
always ready for a tour of duty wherever and whenever the
military leaders ordered.
"You can see my record. I have been moved to numerous
positions in the military in line with my career since I
graduated from the Military Academy," he said.
He dismissed speculation that a clique in the military helped
him obtain the promotion. TNI, according to him, is not involved
in interest groups and his recent promotion is not a result of
his close link to the President and military leaders.
"The President has given his personal assessment of me. I ask
you the press to observe whether I am capable of carrying out my
new job," he said.
He said not only the President but people across the country
will support someone who does everything right.
"I have millions of people beside me but I have no dependence
on certain individuals, including the President and the Army
chief of staff. I'm always myself, I never think negatively of
others, including my seniors," he said.
He said people always need strong, professional military
personnel to carry out defense functions.
He reiterated that the Indonesian Military (TNI) should not
depend on certain individuals or its leaders, but on its
persistent policy based on its doctrine and command line.
"Of utmost importance is that all military officials are
professional in their respective posts and have a strong
commitment to establishing TNI's identity in line with its
doctrine," Agus said.
He said that to be professional, servicemen must refrain from
practicing politics and serve the people to the best of their
ability.
"TNI's identity must be apparent in its service to the nation,
the people and the government. Both the government and people
have been longing for a dedicated and professional military," he
said.
He accepted the criticism that the military was too close to
the government of the past regime. He said the criticism should
serve as a warning for the military if it takes a wrong
direction.
"Now we are returning to our initial function in the defense
field," he said.
Asked about the reform in the military, he said he was proud
of the persistent internal reform in the military, which is in
line with the people's demands.
"The reform is in progress and it has gone hand in hand with
the reform movement in other fields," he said. (emf/rms)