Mixed responses greet latest TNI reshuffle
JAKARTA (JP): A mixture of praise and regret greeted the latest reshuffle in the Indonesian Military (TNI) on Monday, with many believing it to be part of the ongoing reform movement within the armed forces.
Samsu Rizal Panggabean from the Yogyakarta-based Gadjah Mada University observed that those TNI officers promoted to strategic posts were committed to reform and professionalism.
"People like Agus may be able to boost the professionalism process," he said, referring to the chief of the Wirabuana Military Command Maj. Gen. Wirahadikusumah, who was appointed chief of the Army's Strategic Reserves Command (Kostrad) in place of Lt. Gen. Djadja Suparman.
Aside from Djadja, Lt. Gen. Suaidi Marasabessy is to relinquish his post as TNI chief of general affairs to Army Deputy Chief of Staff Lt. Gen. Djamari Chaniago.
Rizal said the major reshuffle would guide TNI to a new era, which required the force to safeguard the country in a more professional manner.
"Gradually the military will withdraw from politics. The promotion of the reformists is an effort to eliminate old political habits among military top brass," he said.
Rizal said the TNI's replacement of Djadja was a wise decision, because Djadja was among those old guns who found it difficult to respond to the demands of professionalism.
The observer said TNI was having a hard time keeping the democratization process on the right track, warning that the long-standing practices that gave the military a prominent role in national politics would be difficult to scrap.
"TNI could play a decisive role in making the democratization process a success in this country."
House of Representatives legislator Yasril Ananta Baharuddin from the Golkar Party hailed the substitutions in the TNI, but called on the public not to speculate about the matter.
"Let the military handle their own internal affairs. We should no longer link every reshuffle with politics," said Yasril, who chairs the House of Representatives Commission I for defense, foreign and political affairs.
He was responding to reports that the reshuffle was aimed at sweeping out TNI figures loyal to their former commander Gen. Wiranto, who was suspended as the coordinating minister for political affairs and security recently.
Yasril dismissed the possibility of direct intervention from President Abdurrahman Wahid in the reshuffle.
"I don't see such a possibility. But if there is an indirect intervention, I don't know. It might happen," he remarked.
He viewed the dispute between Wiranto and Agus Wirahadikusumah as a natural difference of opinion although it violated the military's code of conduct.
Admitting that he had heard "bad rumors" about Agus, Yasril asked the public to let Agus, the current Wirabuana/ Sulawesi Military commander, prove himself in his new job.
Meanwhile, chief of the Pattimura Military Command Brig. Gen. Max Tamaela expressed his surprise at the removal of Suaidi, who is a Maluku native.
"I was surprised when watching TV that he (Suaidi) got no new post. It's just like a blow to the Maluku people as he is a Maluku asset."
"Personally I was disappointed that he has no new position," Tamaela said.
There have been reports that Tamaela would be removed from his post. "Maybe my superiors have another consideration now that I still hold my post." he said. (49/sur/jun)