House divided over military chief's resignation

Kurniawan Hari and Tiarma Siboro, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta

The resignation of Indonesian Military (TNI) Commander Gen. Endriartono Sutarto has polarized the Nationhood Coalition and the People's Coalition in the House of Representatives in another debate.

The House will convene a plenary session on Friday to discuss the resignation of the TNI chief, which was disclosed by President Megawati Soekarnoputri in a letter to House Speaker Agung Laksono last week.

In the same letter, Megawati also named Army chief Gen. Ryamizard Ryacudu acting TNI chief, pending House approval.

The Golkar faction, the largest with 127 seats, said on Wednesday the House needed to discuss and approve Endriartono's resignation and Ryamizard's appointment as his replacement immediately.

Golkar has the support of the Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDI-P), the Prosperous Peace Party (PDS) and the Reform Star Party (PBR). The factions are grouped under the Nationhood Coalition, which has a combined strength of 264 seats.

The rival camp, consisting of the United Development Party (PPP), the Democratic Party, the National Mandate Party (PAN), the National Awakening Party (PKB), the Prosperous Justice Party (PKS) and the Democratic Pioneer Star (BPD) factions, said discussions should be delayed until the inauguration of the new president on Oct. 20.

The People's Coalition controls 286 seats, meaning it will win on paper if the House calls for a vote to settle the dispute.

Abdillah Toha, the PAN faction chairman, said a delay was advisable because the House had not formed a commission to deal with the issue, and because the resignation was tendered shortly before the end of President Megawati Soekarnoputri's tenure.

"From an ethical point of view, the President should not make any (key) decisions, as the end of her term is imminent," he said.

Moh. Akil Mochtar of Golkar contended the recommended delay, saying the House could form a special committee to discuss the presidential letter.

"It must be discussed immediately because (Megawati) retains executive power. We can discuss it through a House special committee," he said.

Separately, Ryamizard said he had no indications as to any plans for a change of guard in the TNI.

"I didn't know about this. Why should I? Neither the TNI chief nor the president contacted me," he told reporters on Wednesday after a meeting with retired senior military officers.

Ryamizard asserted that he would stay away from the TNI succession issue.

"Don't involve me (in the debate). People may accuse me for seeking the TNI chief post or for being overeager," he said.

Ryamizard also said he had yet to meet president-elect Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono.

Senior officials attending the military gathering include former vice president Try Sutrisno, home minister Hari Sabarno and National Intelligence Agency chief A.M. Hendropriyono.

Ryamizard said the gathering was part of an effort to maintain national unity.

"I expect to see no more discord after the inauguration. If you want to fight, do it during the next election five years from now," he said.