Further TNI shake-up 'not to effect top officers'
Further TNI shake-up 'not to effect top officers'
JAKARTA (JP): Outgoing Indonesian Military chief (TNI) Maj. Gen. Sudrajat confirmed on Sunday a further reshuffle in the armed forces, but denied it would effect the top brass.
"Yes, there will be some rotations within TNI in response to the President's request, but it won't be that prominent. It's just an ordinary tour of duty," Sudrajat told The Jakarta Post.
He said the reshuffle would encompass officers whose ranks were either colonel or brigadier general. Without disclosing any names and posts, he said the replacements would take place in February at the latest.
Speculation of some changes in TNI has been rife, due to President Abdurrahman Wahid's preference for non-Army officers for some key TNI posts that traditionally went to the Army, dating back to the appointment of Adm. Widodo Adisucipto as TNI chief.
Abdurrahman sprang another surprise when he openly announced the replacement of Sudrajat by Air Rear Marshal Graito Usodo on Thursday. The news came on the heels of the appointment of another Air Force officer, Air Rear Marshal Ian Santoso Perdanakusumah, to head TNI's Strategic Intelligence Agency (BAIS).
Antara quoted a military source who said Widodo, Army Chief of Staff Gen. Tyasno Sudarto, Air Force Chief of Staff Marshal Hanafie, the Army's Strategic and Reserves Commander Maj. Gen. Djadja Suparman and Jakarta Military Commander Maj. Gen. Ryamizard Ryacudu would join the wagon.
Another source, who requested anonymity, said the reshuffle would conclude with the replacement of Coordinating Minister for Political Affairs and Security Gen. Wiranto by Widodo. The TNI top post will be given to Tyasno.
Former TNI chief Wiranto is among nine retired and active military top brass now under scrutiny for their alleged involvement in human rights abuses in East Timor.
State Minister of the Empowerment of Women Khofifah Indar Parawansa said recently that human rights abuses and graft cases were the motivation for a reshuffle in the Cabinet.
Sudrajat labeled the reports as groundless, saying any replacement in TNI would need approval from the highest consultation board for officer's ranks and positions (Wanjakti).
He disclosed that the board would meet on Monday and was scheduled to discuss the rotation of some colonels and brigadier generals.
"We can expect the results of the meeting within the week," he said on Sunday.
Included in the major agenda of the board meeting will be talks on the retirement of four TNI top officials currently serving in Abdurrahman's Cabinet.
They are Wiranto, Minister of Mines and Energy Lt. Gen. Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono, Minister of Communications Lt. Gen. Agum Gumelar and State Minister of State Administrative Reforms Rear Adm. Freddy Numberi.
The law states that military officers appointed to or seeking nonmilitary posts must resign from active service.
"Administrative clearances for the retirements have already been prepared, but I think it will take some time to process the documents. Perhaps the administrative procedures will be completed in April or March," Sudrajat said. (emf)