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.