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.