House pressures government on new TNI commander
Tony Hotland, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta
The House of Representatives has urged the government to immediately submit the names of candidates to replace Indonesian Military (TNI) chief Endriartono Sutarto, giving a three-week deadline before the legislature goes into recess at the end of this month.
"This is just a reminder because the President promised to submit a name(s) in August. We don't want this issue to slip his mind amid the mounting problems the government faces," House Speaker Agung Laksono said on Monday.
The House, he said, had three weeks left before going into a month-long recess, thus the remaining time could be used to find a replacement for Sutarto.
Having surpassed the retirement age of 55, Sutarto has frequently expressed a desire to resign.
Former president Megawati Soekarnoputri proposed former Army chief of staff Gen. Ryamizard Ryacudu, 57, apparently a House favorite, to replace Sutarto during the last weeks of her administration last year.
However, Megawati's proposal was later withdrawn by President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono after he succeeded her last October.
At present, only four military officers are eligible for the post. They are Ryamizard, who is only one year away from retiring at 58 years of age, current Army Chief of Staff Gen. Djoko Santoso, Navy Chief of Staff Gen. Djoko Suyanto and Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. Slamet Subianto.
Under the law on the TNI, only those who have been or currently are a chief of staff and are still active military men can be elected military chief.
The law also states that the election of a TNI chief must obtain approval from the House after undergoing screening. Should the House fail to approve a candidate, the President must submit a new name.
Deputy chairman of House Commission I on defense and foreign affairs Effendy Choirie said Sutarto's desire to resign should be reason enough to name a replacement.
"Besides, Sutarto is very much a senior military man, we need swift regeneration. The President said a new TNI chief would be named quickly after the selection of a new police chief," he said.
Gen. Sutanto became the new National Police chief in July after obtaining House approval in June.
Effendy said the public was looking for a new TNI chief who was militarily professional and neutral, one who would avoid being politicized or used by the government.
"We don't want a TNI chief who interferes in political or business issues. We want someone who cares about the welfare and professionalism of soldiers as defenders of the country," he added.
Effendy claimed that Ryamizard was still a favorite candidate, adding that the House had been prepared to endorse his nomination by Megawati.
However, President Susilo's withdrawal of his nomination has left a big question mark and may lead the process in a different direction.