House accepts Endriartono after reshuffle dispute
Kurniawan Hari, The Jakarta Post/Jakarta
The House of Representatives's defense commission held a hearing with Indonesian Military (TNI) chief Gen. Endriartono Sutarto Thursday, the first since the controversy surrounding the replacement of the TNI chief.
During the hearing, which was presided over by commission chairman Theo L. Sambuaga, some legislators questioned why Endriartono continued in his post despite the acceptance of his resignation by former president Megawati Soekarnoputri in October.
Responding to the questions, Endriartono said that he had suggested to Megawati that he be replaced for the sake of regeneration.
"At that time, I had reached the mandatory retirement age, so I thought it would be better for the president to give someone else the military's top post," Endriartono said.
Megawati sent a letter to the House on Oct. 8, informing legislators that she intended to dismiss Endriartono and to appoint Army chief of staff Gen. Ryamizard Ryacudu as TNI chief.
Under the Indonesian Military (TNI) Law, the appointment of the TNI chief requires the consent of the House.
In Oct. 25, however, President Susilo revoked the letter and declared that Endriartono was still the TNI chief.
The fact that Susilo revoked the letter allowed Endriartono to stay on as military chief.
Endriartono denied suggestions that was trying to maintain his position as TNI chief.
Although he had called for regeneration, the final say was up to the President. "It do not have the right to make the decision myself," said Endriartono, who was also accompanied by Ryamizard.
Endriartono said he could not just leave his post without the approval of the President.
The commission demanded on Thursday that the TNI evaluate its business activities and start planning to move out of business activities as required under the TNI Law (No.34/2004).
It also suggested that the TNI start drafting its annual budget estimates without taking into account the revenue the TNI gains from its business activities.
"The TNI must draft a comprehensive plan to give up its business activities," Theo said.
During the hearing, the TNI chief said that TNI's equipment was in poor shape, leaving the country vulnerable to foreign attack.
Currently, the total military establishment stands at 347,272, including 268,661 personnel in the Army, 53,913 in the Navy, and 24,698 in the Air Force.
Separately, commission deputy chairman Effendy Choirie of the National Awakening Party (PKB) said that he push ahead with an effort to summon President Susilo to explain why he canceled the replacement of the TNI chief.
State of the Indonesian Military ============================================================== Army : Kostrad - two combat divisions, consisting of 18
infantry battalions and 16 other battalions
Kopassus - four combat groups -------------------------------------------------------------- Navy : 119 warships of various types, 201 smaller vessels,
73 patrol aircraft, eight naval bases.
The Navy says the ideal number of ships is 762. -------------------------------------------------------------- Air Force: Seven combat squadrons, five carrier squadrons, one
interceptor squadron, three helicopter squadrons, two
training squadrons, 16 air bases. The Air Force says
there is a need for 2,000 more aircraft. ================================================================= Source: House/TNI meeting