Megawati's approval awaited for Army chief of staff candidate
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.