General Tandyo on Reports He Could Become TNI Commander: ‘That Is Beyond My Control’

Indonesian Army Chief of Staff (KSAD) General Tandyo Budi Revita declined to speculate when asked about reports that he could become the TNI commander.

Tandyo, who previously served as deputy TNI commander, was appointed Army Chief of Staff, replacing General Maruli Simanjuntak. Maruli has now become deputy TNI commander.

“Thank you, but that is beyond my control. Thank you,” Tandyo said after his inauguration at Merdeka Palace in Jakarta on Thursday (15 October).

Tandyo said the Army would take part in supporting the success of the government’s priority programmes. He cited several initiatives, including the Merah Putih Village Cooperatives (Kopdes Merah Putih) and food security.

He also said that his force, which has the largest number of personnel in the TNI, would accelerate efforts to extinguish forest and land fires.

Tandyo was appointed Army Chief of Staff to replace Maruli. The two effectively swapped positions: Maruli now holds the deputy commander post previously occupied by Tandyo.

Reports that Tandyo could become TNI commander also emerged alongside his appointment as Army Chief of Staff. Under the TNI Law, a candidate for commander must have previously served, or currently be serving, as a service chief.