Hartono formally retires from military

JAKARTA (JP): Minister of Information R. Hartono was among the 96 senior ranking Army officers who were given a symbolic military farewell in a retirement ceremony filled with pageantry at the National Military Academy in Magelang, Central Java, yesterday.

The 97 officers included one four-star general, four three- star generals, 37 two-star generals and 55 one-star generals.

Present at the ceremony, led by Army Chief of Staff Gen. Wiranto, were Armed Forces Chief Gen. Feisal Tanjung and other high ranking officers.

Speaking to reporters after the ceremony, Hartono said he was grateful to God that he could successfully end his military career.

"I am grateful that I have had the opportunity to lead a series of military positions all the way to the top as the Army Chief, because not all senior officers could have had such an opportunity," said Hartono after his send-off.

Hartono, 56, officially retired in June to take the post as Minister of Information.

Former deputy Army Chief of Staff Lt. Gen. (ret.) FX Soedjasmin, who was sitting among the retired generals, said he was proud to end his military career without committing any grave mistakes.

As an expression of his gratitude, he rode on his motorbike from Jakarta to Magelang just for the ceremony.

Other graduated retired generals were Let. Gen Soerjadi, former Jakarta governor and Let. Gen. Soetedjo, former deputy speaker of the House of Representatives (DPR). (imn)