Gen. Tyasno discusses military reshuffle

JAKARTA (JP): Army Chief of Staff Gen. Tyasno Sudarto denied on Friday allegations that outside individuals had any influence over military reshuffles, stressing that any shakeup occurring in the near future would have nothing to do with the resignation of former secretary of government supervision Bondan Gunawan.

Tyasno said it was not true that Bondan Gunawan, who was also acting state secretary, and Army Strategic Reserves Commander Lt. Gen. Agus Wirahadikusumah had played significant roles in Army reshuffles.

"I know Mas Bondan and Agus, but if there are rumors about the three of us conspiring, they are not true," Tyasno said during a hearing with House of Representatives (DPR) Commission I for defense at Army Headquarters here on Friday.

The four-star general maintained that there were standard procedures which needed to be followed in duty rotation or in the promotion of Army officers.

He further said that the final decision concerning strategic posts fell to a senior officers council for high-ranking promotions and duty rotations (Wanjakti) which was chaired by the Indonesian Military (TNI) chief.

Earlier on Thursday, Indonesian Military (TNI) spokesman Rear Air Marshall Graito Usodo said an Army reshuffle was being discussed by Wanjakti, which would make a decision in the near future.

Graito said the reshuffle could affect some one or two-star generals or officers in the level of regional military commander.

Tyasno admitted on Friday that some parties had tried to interfere with the mechanism and had lobbied certain officers to secure them certain positions.

"It is a fact that I will not cover up, but whether it was followed through or not depends on the mechanism," he remarked as quoted by Antara. (dja)