Military to have new intelligence chief

Military to have new intelligence chief

JAKARTA (JP): Air Force Chief of Staff Marshal Hanafie Asnan
confirmed on Wednesday that Air Rear Marshal Ian Santoso
Perdanakusuma, chief of the Eastern Air Defense Command, will be
appointed to head the Indonesian Military's Intelligence Board
(Bais).

"Marshal Ian will be sworn in on Jan. 14," he said during a
breaking of the fast gathering on Wednesday. He will replace Gen.
Tyasno Sudarto, who recently took over as Army chief.

He said Commodore Alimunsiri Rappe, deputy assistant to Air
Force chief on operation affairs, would replace Ian as new chief
of the Eastern Air Defense Command and the handover ceremony
would take place in Makassar on Jan. 13.

Hanafie said he was proud of Ian because he was the first
member of the Air Force appointed to head the military's
intelligence board.

"Besides, Ian has the capability to occupy the position
because he has spent much time in intelligence affairs in the Air
Force," he said.

Ian, son of national hero Halim Perdanakusuma, graduated from
the Air Force Academy in 1970. He has occupied numerous positions
in the Air Force and undertaken several air operation assignments
both at home and overseas. (rms)