'Beware of risks to MPR assembly'

JAKARTA (JP): The Armed Forces (ABRI) chief, Gen. Feisal Tanjung, told the Army yesterday to prepare for the general assembly of the People's Consultative Council (MPR) next March.

"Beware of a campaign to disrupt next year's general assembly of the People's Consultative Council," Feisal said during a ceremony to transfer the Army chief of staff post from Gen. R. Hartono to the newly promoted Gen. Wiranto at the Army headquarters.

Feisal said the Armed Forces had identified parties who had attempted to foil the election campaign and the May 29 general election.

"There is a great possibility that they will repeat their unconstitutional actions before the MPR's general assembly next year," he said.

This year's election campaign was marred by clashes between supporters of the three parties -- the United Development Party (PPP), Golkar and the Indonesian Democratic Party (PDI). And between party supporters, the general public and security personnel.

The 1,000-strong council will meet next March to elect a president and vice president and adopt the five-year State Guidelines.

Feisal told Wiranto to make necessary preparations and guide his soldiers so that they were more able to safeguard the country's most significant political event.

"Prepare your soldiers so that they will not make procedural mistakes on the job," he said.

Feisal told soldiers and other Armed Forces personnel to be professional.

"Professional ABRI personnel are expected to act as agents for democratization and campaign to improve people's welfare," he said.

Yesterday's ceremony was part of a series of substantial changes in the cabinet and the Armed Forces.

Minister/State Secretary Moerdiono announced last Friday that Wiranto would replace Hartono, who became the minister of information replacing Harmoko. Harmoko was given a new cabinet post as state minister of special assignments.

The Armed Forces reshuffle also saw the appointment of Lt. Gen. Subagyo Hadi Siswoyo as the new deputy Army chief of staff; Lt. Gen. Sugiono as the new chief of the Army Strategic Reserve Command, replacing Wiranto; Maj. Gen. Sutarto as the commander of the Presidential Security Guards; and Maj. Gen. Mardjianto as the new chief of the Central Java Regional Military Command.

The ceremony was attended by several four-star retired generals, including Abdul Haris Nasution, M. Panggabean, Poniman, Makmun Murod, Edi Sudradjat and Wismoyo Arismunandar. They are all former Army chief of staff.

Several three-star retired generals attended the ceremony, including Sayidiman Suryohadiprojo, Wahono and F.X. Sudjasmin. They are all former deputies of the army chief of staff.

Cabinet ministers, Coordinating Minister for Political Affairs and Security Soesilo Soedarman, Coordinating Minister for People's Welfare Azwar Anas and Minister of Home Affairs Moch. Yogie S.M., also attended.

On Wiranto's appointment, the country's first army chief of staff, Gen. (ret) Abdul Haris Nasution, said he was glad the military reshuffle had been conducted systematically and orderly.

"There have been significant improvements in the Armed Forces' personnel development, unlike what I experienced. I was only 30 years of age when I was installed as the army chief of staff," he said.

He said several Armed Forces' younger officers had significantly developed their careers, citing Maj. Gen. Prabowo Subianto, commandant-general of the Army's Special Force, as a future military leader in the making.

"I have known him for a long time. He told me long ago that he wished to become the Army chief of staff someday," Nasution said. (imn)