Gen. Feisal confirms reshuffle in ABRI intelligence agency
Gen. Feisal confirms reshuffle in ABRI intelligence agency
JAKARTA (JP): Armed Forces (ABRI) Chief Gen. Feisal Tanjung
yesterday confirmed reports of a big shake up in ABRI's
Intelligence Agency, but said the changes were not linked to the
July 27 riot.
Feisal has appointed Maj. Gen. Farid Zaenuddin, previously
assistant for security affairs to the Army chief of staff, to
head the agency, known by its Indonesian acronyms BIA, as
replacement for Maj. Gen. Syamsir Siregar.
"There is no link whatsoever," Feisal told reporters when
asked if the change reflected Siregar's handling of the July 27
riot. "It's time to change the agency's leadership," he said.
The latest reshuffle in ABRI's leadership follows last month's
removal of Lt. Gen. Soeyono as ABRI chief of general affairs, the
second most important post in the military. Many observers
believed that Soeyono's downfall was precipitated by the riot.
His position has been filled by Lt. Gen. M. Tarub.
Farid is a 1967 graduate of the National Military Academy. His
previous postings include chief of staff of the Brawijaya
regional military command in East Java, and as an aide to the
Army chief of staff.
Other changes in BIA are:
* Marine Brig. Gen. Rusdy (presently Director B) to deputy
chief in place of Maj. Gen. Achdari.
* Col. Zein Sanusi (former Army attache in Australia) to
Director A in place of Brig. Gen. Zacky Anwar Makarim.
* Brig. Gen. Bom Suryanto to Director B.
Zacky will be promoted to assistant for security to the Army
chief of staff.
Separately, Army Chief of Staff Gen. R. Hartono suggested that
President Soeharto's son-in-law Maj. Gen. Prabowo Subianto,
currently commandant-general of the Army's Special Force
(Kopassus), should be considered for command of one of the
military regions.
Hartono said any decision on Prabowo's future would come from
the ABRI chief.
A stint as a regional military commander is considered vital
in the resume of any military officer hoping to reach the very
top. (imn)