House at odds over TNI chief
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.
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.