Navy delays fleet merger

JAKARTA: Navy chief Adm. Bernard Kent Sondakh said on Monday his office had decided to delay merging the eastern and western fleets until the Indonesian Military (TNI) and the defense ministry had agreed on a coordination mechanism between the two institutions.

"The merging of the fleets is an issue with both the TNI and the Ministry of Defense," said Bernard after installing Commodore Y. Didik Heru Purnomo as chief of the Western Fleet, replacing Rear Adm. Mualimin S, who has reached retirement age.

Before Didik was promoted to Western Fleet commander, he was chief of staff of the Western Fleet.

Bernard said the merger, which was scheduled to take place on Dec. 5, had been delayed because of the lack of coordination between the TNI and the Ministry of Defense over the procedures and mechanisms of the merger.

The merger is meant to improve the efficiency and effectiveness of the Navy. --Antara