Major reshuffle imminent in the military, Endriartono says

Major reshuffle imminent in the military, Endriartono says

The Jakarta Post, Jakarta

Army Chief of Staff Gen. Endriartono Sutarto said on Tuesday
that the Indonesian Military Headquarters would soon announce a
major reshuffle involving a number of high-ranking officials.

"The council for the promotion of high-ranking military
officials concluded its meeting on Monday night. As soon as its
results are signed by the TNI chief and get approval from the
Ministry of Defense, the reshuffle will be announced ... possibly
on or around the TNI anniversary (on Oct. 5)," Endriartono said.

Speaking to reporters after presiding over a ceremony for the
inauguration of graduates of the Military Law Institute, he said,
"Many high-ranking officials will be reassigned, including two
military commanders and some three-star generals."

When he was asked whether one of the three-star generals to be
reassigned or replaced would include Chief of Territorial Affairs
Lt. Gen. Agus Widjojo, Endriartono apparently answered positively
by nodding his head.

"Yes, maybe like that ...," he said, adding that Agus will
more than likely be appointed as the chairman of the TNI/Police
faction at the People's Consultative Assembly, replacing Lt. Gen.
Hari Sabarno, the incumbent minister of home affairs.

Endriartono declined to give further details, but a military
officer who requested anonymity told The Jakarta Post that a
major restructuring at TNI was currently in process, which likely
would include the elimination of a number of posts.

"This is aimed at reducing the number of generals who have no
jobs," the officer said.

The restructuring program will also include a one-star
demotion in rank for Army Strategic Reserves Command and TNI's
Strategic Intelligence Agency chiefs, which are currently held by
three-star generals, as well as the rank of the Army's Special
Force, held by a two-star general.

The above-mentioned positions will later be held only by one-
and two-star generals, the officer said.

One of the posts slated for elimination will be the one held
by Agus. "The post will be eliminated and its position will be
put under the supervision of the TNI chief of general affairs,"
he said.