Megawati considers replacing TNI chief
Megawati considers replacing TNI chief
Abu Hanifah, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta
President Megawati Soekarnoputri is considering replacing
Indonesian Military (TNI) chief Adm. Widodo Adisutjipto as soon
as possible, House of Representatives Speaker Akbar Tandjung said
on Monday.
However, Akbar said Megawati did not name any candidates to
replace Widodo during his meeting with her before leaving for
South Korea on Nov. 12.
"When I met her she told me that she is considering several
candidates (to replace Widodo). But she did not mention any
names. Neither did I ask further," Akbar told journalists in
Jakarta.
He said the President would propose the candidates to the
House in the near future for approval.
The possible candidates floated by unnamed military officers
included Army Chief of Staff Gen. Endriartono Sutarto, TNI Chief
of General Affairs Lt. Gen. Djamari Chaniago, former army chief
Gen. Tyasno Sudarto and current Air Force chief of staff Air
Marshall Hanafie Asnan.
Djamari and Tyasno are the youngest candidates to replace
Widodo. They are expected to retire between two or three years
later.
Under the decree No. VII/2000 issued by the People's
Consultative Assembly (MPR), the police and TNI commanders are
appointed and dismissed by the President after approval from the
House.
Widodo was appointed by then president Abdurrahman Wahid in
1999. He was the first TNI commander not from the Army whose top
figures used to lead the military during the autocratic rule of
former president Soeharto.
Previously, Air Marshall Hanafi Asnan said all military chiefs
wanted Widodo retained in his current post in a bid to maintain
solidity within the TNI.
The military has been accused of rampant human rights abuses
in the rebellious provinces of Aceh and Irian Jaya as well as
East Timor. However, the TNI's top generals have never been
brought to justice.
Reforms within the TNI have also struggled as it refused to
stay away from practical politics while old forces have still
maintained a strong grip.