Debate on Widodo's replacement continues
Debate on Widodo's replacement continues
Lela E. Madjiah and Tiarma Siboro, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta
Top security officers on Wednesday expressed mixed reactions on
the possible replacement of incumbent Indonesian Military (TNI)
Chief Adm. Widodo Adisutjipto.
Minister of Defense Matori Abdul Djalil said the replacement
of the military chief was the prerogative of President Megawati
Soekarnoputri.
"The President has the authority to decide whether to extend
his (Widodo's) term of office or not," he told reporters on the
sidelines of a coordination meeting of Cabinet members overseeing
political and security affairs on Wednesday.
On Monday, House of Representatives Speaker Akbar Tandjung
said Megawati was considering replacing Widodo in the near
future, but stopped short of mentioning any prospective
successors.
The issue of Widodo's replacement was raised despite a
statement by Air Marshal Hanafie Asnan that all military chiefs
of staff wanted Widodo to be retained in his current post to
maintain the solidity within the military.
In an apparent move to oppose the replacement of the incumbent
military chief, TNI spokesman Rear Marshall Graito Usodo said
that based on a decree issued on June 22, 1999 by the then
minister of defense/armed forces chief Gen. Wiranto, Widodo would
retire on Aug. 31, 2004.
Endriartono confirmed Graito's statement, saying the
replacement of the TNI chief should not affect the solidity among
the military forces.
"The replacement of the TNI chief should take into account
several considerations, such as the situation of war, the
solidity among the forces and regeneration among the TNI chiefs.
"We (the TNI) are currently prioritizing efforts to maintain
the solidity among us and therefore we consider it best not to
replace Widodo," Endriartono said during a Ramadhan breaking of
the fast gathering at his residence in Jakarta.
Similar opposition has also been voiced by Hanafie and Navy
Chief of Staff Adm. Indroko Satrowiryono.
Under Decree No. VII/2000 issued by the People's Consultative
Assembly (MPR), the police and TNI commanders are appointed and
dismissed by the President after approval from the House.
The possible candidates floated by unnamed military officers
included Army Chief of Staff Gen. Endriartono Sutarto, TNI Chief
of General Affairs Lt. Gen. Djamari Chaniago, former army chief
Gen. Tyasno Sudarto and current Air Force Chief of Staff Air
Marshall Hanafie Asnan.
Djamari is reportedly the strongest candidate to replace
Widodo as the House would likely back Megawati's possible
decision to appoint "a younger chief to lead the military".
Widodo's replacement was raised because he was entering the
mandatory retirement age. But, rumors about his replacement were
flatly denied by the Cilangkap Military Headquarters in East
Jakarta.
In an apparent move to oppose the replacement of the incumbent
military chief, TNI spokesman Rear Marshall Graito Usodo said
that based on a decree issued on June 22, 1999 by the then
minister of defense/armed forces chief Gen. Wiranto, Widodo would
retire on Aug. 31, 2004.
Endriartono confirmed Graito's statement, saying the
replacement of the TNI chief should not affect the solidity among
the military forces.
"The replacement of the TNI chief should take into account
several considerations, such as the situation of war, the
solidity among the forces and regeneration among the TNI chiefs.
"We (the TNI) are currently prioritizing efforts to maintain
the solidity among us and therefore we consider it best not to
replace Widodo," Endriartono said during a Ramadhan breaking of
the fast gathering at his residence in Jakarta.
Similar opposition has also been voiced by Hanafie and Navy
Chief of Staff Adm. Indroko Satrowiryono.