No decision yet on promotion of Wiranto: Putu Rai
JAKARTA (JP): Army spokesman Brig. Gen. I Dewa Putu Rai said yesterday that no decision had been made regarding the promotion of Army Chief of Staff Gen. Wiranto to lead the Armed Forces (ABRI).
"We have not received the Presidential decree on Gen. Wiranto's promotion to become the next Armed Forces chief," Putu Rai said when asked to comment on widespread rumors of Wiranto's imminent promotion.
He was speaking at a media conference held at the Army's headquarters in Central Jakarta to evaluate the implementation of the National Discipline Movement. The movement was launched by President Soeharto three years ago.
Putu Rai said the Armed Forces' top position would remain open until the President made his decision.
The current Armed Forces chief, Gen. Feisal Tanjung, passed the mandatory retirement age of 55 in 1994. He was kept on by President Soeharto but it is usual for the Armed forces chief to be replaced in the run-up to the general assembly of the People's Consultative Assembly, which is next month.
"Every high-ranking military officer has the opportunity to become the armed forces chief," Putu Rai said.
He, however, suggested that the transfer of duty among senior military officers should not be politicized, saying that it was something routine, as within any organization.
He said it was the prerogative of the President, who is also the Armed Forces' supreme commander, to appoint any officer to a senior military post.
Constitutionally, the President has the authority to appoint the Armed Forces chief, several high-ranking positions in the Armed Forces headquarters and the commanders of the four military forces -- the Army, the Navy, the Air Force and the Police Corps.
Unconfirmed reports are circulating that Wiranto will soon assume the number one post in the Armed Forces. The speculation is that he will be inaugurated by President Soeharto on Feb. 16.
Asked who had a good chance to replace Wiranto as Army chief, Putu Rai said the decision would again rest with the President.
"The President will not only consider a candidate's military rank, but also certain other criteria as well," he said.
Rumors have it that both Deputy Army Chief of Staff, Lt. Gen. Subagyo Hadisiswoyo, and the commander of the Army Strategic Reserves Command, Lt. Gen. Sugiono, are strong contenders for the post.
Speaking about the ongoing National Discipline Movement, Putu Rai said that there were now some 300,000 volunteers registered at the Army headquarters for the campaign.
Wiranto relaunched the movement last September after the President initiated it in 1995.
The movement aims to encourage people to learn and practice discipline, ranging from queuing, disposing of garbage in proper places and promoting punctuality. (imn)