Gen. Tyasno discusses military reshuffle

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)