House at odds over TNI chief
The Jakarta Post, Jakarta
Political wrangling erupted in the House of Representatives on Wednesday when the bloc critical of the government decided to ignore President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono's letter annulling his predecessor's request for lawmakers to discuss the replacement of the Indonesian Military (TNI) chief.
Factions affiliated to the Nationhood Coalition plus the National Awakening Party (PKB) instead insisted on responding to the letter sent by former president Megawati Soekarnoputri on the dismissal of TNI Commander Gen. Endriartono Sutarto, who tendered his resignation in September, and the appointment of Army Chief of Staff Gen. Ryamizard Ryacudu as the acting TNI chief.
The Constitution requires the president to seek the House's approval in the selection of the TNI and National Police chief.
Megawati sent her letter a few days before her tenure ended on Oct. 20, but the House could not respond to it as the commission mandated to discuss it had not yet been formed.
The Nationhood Coalition comprises the Golkar Party, the Indonesian Democratic Party, the Prosperous Peace Party and the Reform Star Party.
President Susilo's request was announced during a plenary meeting which saw members of the five factions supporting him give the session a miss, raising questions over the legitimacy of the meeting.
But Susilo also raised eyebrows when he said the withdrawal of Megawati's letter "was nothing personal" either in connection with Endriartono or Ryamizard.
"The letter is connected to the consolidation within the government and a comprehensive plan to reshuffle the TNI leadership," Susilo said in his letter dated Oct. 25.
Only 309 of 550 House legislators signed the attendance register of the meeting.
Some of the House members mulled exercising their right to summon the President to seek an explanation for his letter.
"There have been demands that the House exercise the right to summon the President to seek clarification. The procedure will be discussed later," deputy House speaker Soetardjo Soerjogeoritno said.
In response to the lawmakers' demand, Susilo said he was ready to answer inquiries from House legislators over his letter.
Cabinet secretary Sudi Silalahi said the President was fully aware that the House had conducted a series of discussions regarding Endriartono's replacement.
Sudi said the President had talked to Endriartono, who agreed to maintain his position as the TNI chief.
Endriartono himself has briefed all chiefs of staff and asserted that he retained his position as TNI chief upon the request of the President, who is also the TNI Supreme Commander.
Later in the evening, President Susilo invited Ryamizard, Navy Chief of Staff Adm. Bernard Kent Sondakh and Air Force Chief of Staff Marshal Chappy Hakim to Merdeka Palace. There was no official statement on the substance of the meeting, but a palace official said the four had a breaking of the fast meal.
Ryamizard went to the palace after breaking his fast with Jakarta Military Command officers. He refused to speak to the press.