Dasco Addresses Rumours Regarding Presidential Letter for TNI Commander Replacement

Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives (DPR RI), Sufmi Dasco Ahmad, has denied that his office has received a presidential letter (surpres) from President Prabowo Subianto concerning the replacement of the TNI Commander.

“As of now, there is none,” said Dasco at the parliamentary complex in Jakarta on Tuesday (6/10).

The daily chairman of the Gerindra Party refuted media enquiries regarding allegations that a presidential letter for the replacement of the commander had been submitted to the DPR.

The position of TNI Commander is currently held by General Agus Subiyanto, who has been in office since 22 November 2023, during the administration of Indonesia’s seventh President, Joko Widodo (Jokowi).

Prior to becoming the TNI Commander, Agus served as the Army Chief of Staff (KSAD). He previously served as the commander of the Kodim 0735/Surakarta during the period when Jokowi was the Mayor of Solo.

Agus also commanded the Presidential Security Force (Paspampres) from 2020 to 2021, under the Jokowi administration. He is currently 59 years old. Referring to the latest TNI Law, the maximum retirement age for four-star high-ranking officers is 63, which can be extended up to two times based on needs determined by a Presidential Decree.

Previously, Prabowo replaced the Chief of National Police (Kapolri) with General Pol Suyudi Ario Seto, even though his predecessor, General Pol Listyo Sigit Prabowo, still had several years of service remaining. Listyo was subsequently appointed by Prabowo as the Chief of Staff to the President after being relieved of his duties as Kapolri.

The process of nomination, the fit and proper test in the DPR, and the inauguration of Suyudi proceeded quite rapidly, taking at least only one day. The presidential letter for the replacement of the Kapolri was dated 30 September, with the DPR approval process and Prabowo’s inauguration occurring the following day, from morning to evening.