Military denies orchestrating unrest
JAKARTA (JP): The Indonesian Armed Forces (ABRI) opened its annual leadership meeting yesterday deflecting allegations that it was orchestrating unrest for political or tactical gain or to divert attention from the country's economic turmoil.
"That's untrue," spokesman Brig. Gen. A. Wahab Mokodongan told reporters when asked if the unrest was a ploy to divert attention from the economic crisis and next month's presidential election. "We don't indulge in diversion acts."
Riots sparked by price hikes and shortages of essential goods have broken out in several cities over the past two weeks. Some parties have alleged the unrest has been orchestrated to divert attention from the real problems facing Indonesia.
Wahab also dismissed speculation that Army Chief of Staff Gen. Wiranto was a sure replacement for incumbent ABRI Commander Gen. Feisal Tanjung.
"Commander Gen. Feisal Tanjung will surely be replaced," was all Wahab said after the opening at the ABRI headquarters in Cilangkap, East Jakarta.
"However, President Soeharto has not decided who will replace the incumbent chief and when the transfer-of-duty will take place," he said.
Feisal, 58, passed the mandatory retirement age of 55 in 1994. Soeharto retained him but it is usual for the Armed Forces commander to be replaced in the run-up to the General Session of the People's Consultative Assembly (MPR), which is next month. The body is in charge of electing a president, vice president and endorsing the new state policy guidelines.
Wahab stressed that "only the President" knew and that ABRI hoped he would let his preference be known by the end of the leadership meeting tomorrow.
As the Armed Forces' supreme commander, the President has the prerogative to appoint the Armed Forces commander, several high- ranking positions in the headquarters and the commanders of the ABRI's four branches -- the Army, the Navy, the Air Force and the National Police Corps.
Wahab dismissed speculation that the post of Armed Forces commander automatically belonged to the Army chief of staff, citing that Feisal had been the chief of general affairs when he was appointed ABRI commander in 1994.
Unconfirmed reports are circulating that Wiranto may soon get the top post and that he will be inaugurated by President Soeharto on Feb. 16. However, the Armed Forces Chief of Sociopolitical Affairs Lt. Gen. Yunus Yosfiah has also been mentioned as a possibility.
Yunus, 53, is a 1965 graduate of the National Military Academy, while Wiranto, 50, graduated from the same Academy in 1968. The two men have become known as leaders of the new breed of professional ABRI officers committed to national unity.
Wahab conceded that Wiranto had often been named as a possible ABRI commander.
"However, there is no guarantee that Gen. Wiranto will become the next commander ... because President Soeharto may suddenly change his mind and turn to somebody else," Wahab said.
Speaking about the leadership meeting's main agenda, Wahab said it would discuss the Armed Forces' final preparations for the MPR session, scheduled for March 1 through March 11.
He dismissed speculation the meeting would discuss the Armed Forces' candidate for the vice presidency. He said ABRI would disclose its candidate only in the MPR's general assembly.
Minister of Defense and Security Edi Sudradjat, Minister of Home Affairs Moch. Yogie S.M., Minister of Finance Mar'ie Muhammad and State Minister of National Development Planning Ginandjar Kartasasmita addressed the leadership meeting yesterday.
The meeting also features Chief of the Armed Forces Intelligence Agency Maj. Gen. Zacky Anwar Makarim, Armed Forces Chief of General Affairs Lt. Gen. Tarub and Armed Forces Chief of Sociopolitical Affairs Lt. Gen. Yunus Yosfiah. (imn)