DPR may okay delay of TNI reshuffle

JAKARTA: House of Representative legislators will likely drop their plan to summon the President over a decision to annul a letter on the replacement of the Indonesian Military (TNI) commander.

At an internal meeting of the House's defense commission on Monday, most legislators had shown an intention to accept the annulment.

Theo L. Sambuaga, chairman of the commission, confirmed after the meeting that fellow legislators would accept the annulment, which had caused tension between the President and the lawmakers in November.

According to Theo, the official statement of his commission would be made on Tuesday.

President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono annulled a letter from his predecessor Megawati Soekarnoputri, who in October appointed the Army's Chief of Staff Gen. Ryamizard Ryacudu to replace TNI Chief Gen. Endriartono Sutarto.

Claiming that Sutarto was needed for TNI consolidation, Susilo annulled the letter and maintained Sutarto's post. - JP