Megawati seeks new TNI chief, says aide
Megawati seeks new TNI chief, says aide
Fabiola Desy Unidjaja, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta
President Megawati Soekarnoputri is still exploring the
possibility of naming a new Indonesian Military (TNI) chief to
replace incumbent Adm. Widodo A.S., who is long past the
mandatory retirement age of 55.
Deputy chairman of President Megawati's Indonesian Democratic
Party of Struggle (PDI Perjuangan) Roy B.B. Janis told The
Jakarta Post on Sunday that the process would probably be
completed within the next two months.
"Ibu said two weeks ago that she was exploring the possibility
of replacing the current TNI chief and that she needed at least
two months before she could name one," Roy said.
Widodo, the first Navy admiral to head the country's powerful
military after more than three decades, had already reached the
mandatory retirement age in 1999, but the then president
Abdurrahman Wahid extended his military service for another year.
In 2000, Wahid again extended Widodo's service for another year.
Megawati wanted to replace Widodo almost immediately after she
assumed office in July 2001, but the move was strongly opposed by
the chiefs of the Army, Navy and Air Force.
Four names have surfaced as possible candidates to replace
Widodo. They are Army chief Gen. Endriartono Sutarto, Navy chief
Adm. Indroko Sastrowiryono, Air Force chief Marshall Hanafie
Asnan, former Army chief Gen. Tyasno Sudarto and Army chief for
general affairs Lt. Gen. Djamari Chaniago.
President Megawati, who is intent in appointing a younger
military officer to head the country's military, reportedly
prefers to appoint Djamari as the new TNI chief, but cannot do so
as the current law stipulates that the president must appoint one
of the three chiefs of staff or former chiefs of staff and must
secure the approval of the House of Representatives (DPR) in
replacing the TNI chief.
Besides, the three chiefs of staff have also expressed their
"reluctance" to back Djamari, who is nonetheless also enjoying
strong support from the House.