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)