Major TNI reshuffle imminent

JAKARTA (JP): The Indonesian Military (TNI) will announce on Tuesday a major reshuffle, which includes changes of guard in four regional military commands and the two Navy fleets.

Vice Air Marshal Mudjiono will be the highest ranking officer among 111 others to be affected by the reshuffle as he will relinquish his post as deputy Air Force chief to Rear Air Marshall Alimunsiri Rappe, TNI spokesman Rear Air Marshal Graito Usodo told The Jakarta Post on Monday.

"Vice Marshall Mudjiono is preparing for his retirement," Graito said, dismissing any significance of the major shake-up.

Graito said in the Army, the reshuffle would involve Sriwijaya Military commander Maj. Gen. Sutardjo, Siliwangi Military commander Maj. Gen. Zainuri, Tanjungpura Military commander Maj. Gen. Djoko Besariman and Pattimura Maluku Military commander Brig. Gen. I Made Yasa.

Sutardjo, who oversees the southern part of Sumatra, will be replaced by Maj. Gen. Sudibyo Tjiptonegoro. Djoko, whose territorial control covers Kalimantan, will hand over his post to Maj. Gen. Hadi Waluyo.

Zainuri will be substituted by Brig. Gen. Darsono, the current chief of staff of Siliwangi Military Command overseeing West Java. Made Yasa will fill an educational post in the Bandung- based cadet school, leaving his post to Brig. Gen. Mustopo.

Navy's Western Fleet commander Rear Adm. I Putu Ardana and his Eastern Fleet counterpart Rear Adm. Adi Haryono will be replaced by Rear Adm. Sahroni Garnadi and First Adm. Sumardjono respectively. (02)