Djadja upset at Army chief over removal

JAKARTA (JP): Army Strategic Reserved Command (Kostrad) chief Lt. Gen. Djadja Suparman was fuming that he had not been told he was being removed from his post, and without even an encouraging word of "thanks" from his superiors.

Djadja questioned on Tuesday his superiors' oversight in not informing him of their decision to remove him from the strategic post, despite news of it already making headlines.

"Up to this moment, I have yet to receive any formal or informal announcement (from my superiors) about my removal," Djadja said adding that Army chief Gen. Tyasno Sudarto, his immediate superior, had not said a word about his removal.

Djadja admitted that he was both surprised and disappointment with the procedure and described it as quite strange in the military organization.

"Of course I certainly don't mind being removed, but I would have liked the decision on my removal to have been made known to me before it was announced to the public," he remarked.

"Honestly, I knew about the reshuffle from reporters and the TV news," he said after officiating at Kostrad's civic work mission in North Jakarta on Tuesday.

Indonesian Military (TNI) spokesman Rear Marshal Graito Usodo announced the reshuffle of 74 officers on Monday morning. The most notable change was the promotion of Maj. Gen. Agus Wirahadikumah as new Kostrad chief, replacing Djadja.

Djadja was sent back to school in his new posting as head of TNI's Staff and Command School in Bandung, West Java.

Many see the reshuffle as a cleansing of Wiranto loyalists in the military.

Agus was known as a strong critic of Wiranto, and the suspended coordinating minister for political affairs and security has also condemned his junior for making inflammatory remarks against him.

Without directly pointing any fingers, Djadja contended on Tuesday that it was only courteous for a superior to directly inform a junior of such changes.

"It's normal in a newspaper company for the desk chief to thank the reporter when he moved to another desk," he said, using the analogy of an editorial floor.

Djadja admitted that he was disappointed at having to leave his command at Kostrad after only being there for three months.

In an apparent jab at his successor, Djadja, when asked to comment, remarked that it was more important for Kostrad to focus on physical and military training than politics.

"Kostrad doesn't need politics, but mental and physical training to make it more professional."

Djadja also retorted that his removal was part of a de- Wirantonization of the military.

"All military officials, including me, have once been Wiranto's subordinates when he was TNI commander," he said adding that the military remained solid despite the latest escapade.

"I do not feel I'm being dumped to TNI's Staff and Command School," insisted Djadja who was appointed Kostrad chief on Nov. 4.

"In the military, orders must be abided by ... Objections can be lodged after eight days. (27/rms)