Maj. Gen. Agus denies pressure from superiors

MAKASSAR, South Sulawesi (JP): Outspoken Maj. Gen. Agus Wirahadikusumah denied on Tuesday that he was under pressure from his superiors over his controversial remarks on military streamlining.

Speaking at his residence here, the chief of the Wirabuana military command overseeing South Sulawesi said he had never received telephone calls from superiors who objected to his remarks.

"But I did hear that some of them were unhappy (with my remarks)," he told The Jakarta Post, RCTI, and NOS Radio and Television of The Netherlands when asked if there had been any intimidation following his controversial statement.

Agus suggested last week a radical streamlining of the Army by abolishing territorial military commands at regency levels and below.

He insisted that given the financial problems faced by the state as a result of the prolonged economic crisis, the proposal was worth considering.

Agus acknowledged on Tuesday that his ideas might be controversial, and had evoked serious debates. However, he maintained that his proposals were merely to see the military improve its professionalism.

"If the military elite maintain their old ways of thinking, collision will be unavoidable," said the former commander of the Army Staff and Command School.

"People want change in this reform era".

Agus proposed some military commands at provincial, regency and district levels (Kodam, Kodim and Koramil) be dissolved to meet these recent demands.

There are now 11 military commands across the archipelago, including the Pattimura military command overseeing Maluku, which was reinstated this year. The Army has maintained 10 regional commands since the early 1980s.

Most senior military brass have been aloof in responding to Agus' proposal.

TNI spokesman Maj. Gen. Sudrajat remarked that authorities were planning to established six more regional commands (Kodam) while Army chief of staff Gen. Tyasno Sudarto said there was nothing new in the proposal.

The proposal had long been discussed within the Army and TNI, Tyasno said.

Agus contended that the changes in the territorial structure of the military commands were necessary in anticipating the changes brought about by greater regional autonomy.

He argued that the core substance of regulations No. 22/1999 and 25/1999 on regional autonomy was the democratization of the economy and politics, as well as regional empowerment.

"This strongly relates to the military's territorial aspects. If the military roles are not adjusted they will hamper the implementation of regional autonomy plans."

The proposal to abolish some commands, Agus said, was merely a means to open a new paradigm which could bear fresh thoughts and result in changes in the old ways of thinking.

The changes would be the military's answer to the reform demands, he said. (27/sur)