Megawati's approval awaited for Army chief of staff candidate

Tiarma Siboro and Kurniawan Hari, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta

The Indonesian Military (TNI) has completed the selection of the future Army chief of staff to replace Gen. Endriartono Sutarto.

TNI spokesman Maj. Gen. Sjafrie Sjamsoeddin confirmed on Friday that its Rank and Promotion Council for High-Ranking Officers (Wanjakti) had submitted the results of the selection process to President Megawati Soekarnoputri, who has the prerogative to appoint armed forces commanders.

But the next Army chief remains a secret despite the much- talked about spirit of openness, as Sjafrie even refused to clarify whether TNI had proposed more than one candidate.

"Now the TNI will leave the decision to the President. I can't reveal whether or not Wanjakti has come up with more than one name for the Army top post," Sjafrie told a monthly press briefing here.

Endriartono, who has already reached the mandatory retirement age of 55 but has had his period of service extended for five years, has been nominated for the TNI top post. He currently holds the position of both Army chief and deputy chief of staff after his deputy Lt. Gen. Kiki Syahnakrie retired earlier this month.

The only hint dropped by Sjafrie was that Endriartono's replacement will be a senior three-star general.

Lt. Gen. Djamari Chaniago, the incumbent TNI chief of general affairs and Endriartono's classmate, has been touted as the strongest candidate to fill the Army's top post.

Other possible candidates are former Army's Strategic Reserves Command (Kostrad) chief Lt. Gen. Djadja Suparman, a 1972 graduate of the Military Academy, and incumbent Lt. Gen. Ryamizard Ryacudu, who is one year his junior.

Sources said former Udayana Military commander Lt. Gen. Sjahrier M.S., a 1971 graduate, and operational assistant to the Army chief Maj. Gen. Hary Kosasih, a 1972 graduate, would compete for the position of deputy Army chief.

Meanwhile, the House of Representatives has summoned Endriartono to appear on May 22 for a screening session before members of House Commission I on security, political and foreign affairs.

It remains unclear whether the session will be open to the public.

According to Djoko Susilo of the Reform faction, the House should allow the public to attend the screening, the equivalent of the popular fit and proper test.

"People can directly assess the capacity of the nominee, as well as his concept of the future development of the Indonesian Military." Djoko said.

Endriartono is the sole candidate for the TNI chief post now held by Adm. Widodo A.S.