Gen. Wiranto denies reports of reshuffle in the Army

JAKARTA (JP): Minister of Defense and Security/Armed Forces (ABRI) Commander Gen. Wiranto has denied reports that Army Chief Gen. Subagyo Hadisiswoyo is to be replaced in the near future.

"For the time being, ABRI has no plan to conduct a reshuffle in the Army because we are concentrating on efforts to make the People's Consultative Assembly (MPR) a success," Wiranto told reporters after closing a short course for 72 officers and Civilians at the National Resilience Institute (Lemhanas) here yesterday.

Asked about the possibility that a reshuffle would be conducted after the Special Session, he said "Wait and see. If there is to be a replacement of the Army chief, I will myself announce it. But, if there is no announcement, there will be no replacement in the Army's top position."

Gen. Subagyo, who also attended the short course's closing ceremony, said he had not yet received any information from the ABRI leadership about his replacement in the near future.

"Frankly speaking, I have yet to receive any information or order from ABRI concerning any reshuffle," he said.

Republika daily reported on Friday that Subagyo would be replaced in the near future and Lt. Gen. Susilo Bambang Yudoyono, current chief of ABRI's Socio-political Affairs, has been nomi nated to succeed him.

Subagyo, however, said he would be ready should the military leadership want to replace him. He said, "To me, my current job is an amanah (mandate) ...I must be ready to transfer it to another official any time necessary."

"I have no ambition to maintain my job and I am prepared to do whatever the ABRI leadership wants me to do and go wherever I am assigned," he said. (rms)