Maj. Gen. Suaidi sworn into Sulawesi command

UJUNGPANDANG, South Sulawesi (JP): Maj. Gen. Suaidi Marasabessy was sworn in yesterday as commander of the Wirabuana Military Command overseeing Sulawesi, replacing Lt. Gen. Agum Gumelar.

The inauguration was held during a military ceremony attended by Army Deputy Chief of Staff Lt. Gen. Sugiyono and Sulawesi Governor H.Z.B. Palaguna.

Suaidi was previously assistant operations chief for the Army commander.

Agum was inaugurated Wednesday as governor of the National Resilience Institute (Lemhannas). He has served as Wirabuana military commander since Aug. 1. 1996.

Following the ceremony, hundreds of students hailed the two men. In fact, prior to the ceremony, Agum visited several campuses in the city to express his gratitude for the cooperation established.

His bold moves included allowing students to peacefully march off campus to express their demands for reforms.

Suaidi claimed yesterday that he also supported demands for reform and would continue many of the policies begun by his predecessor.

Suaidi was born in Haruku Island, Ambon, on Jan. 5, 1947. (37)