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)