'No runners for TNI top job meet criteria'
'No runners for TNI top job meet criteria'
The Jakarta Post, Jakarta
None of the four candidates for the post of military chief meet
the professional criteria and the appointment of any of them will
not only hamper the regeneration process but also stall reform
within the military itself, analysts say.
They are also calling on the administration of President
Megawati Soekarnoputri to formulate a reform agenda for the
Indonesian Military (TNI), arguing that the military should
respect civilian supremacy.
"Ideally, the TNI chief should support the supremacy of the
civilian government, be accountable, and have sensitivity and
responsibility in respect of human rights issues ... I don't
think either Endriartono or Tyasno meet these requirements," said
military observer Kusnanto Anggoro of the Centre for Strategic
and International Studies, implying that the two Army generals
are clear frontrunners in the race.
According to political analyst Hermawan Sulistyo of the
Indonesian Institute of Sciences (LIPI), Gen. Endriartono Sutarto
stands a better chance of getting the TNI top post
"The strongest candidate at the moment is Endriartono as no
one else is as prepared as he is in the second echelon of the
Army," said Hermawan.
Under the law as it stands, the TNI chief is appointed by the
President in her capacity as the Supreme Military Commander and
is chosen from among the current and former chiefs of staff of
the Army, Navy and Air Force.
Three chiefs of staff and one former Army chief of staff are
now vying for the post, namely Army chief Gen. Endriartono
Sutarto, Navy chief Adm. Indroko Sastrowiryono, Air Force chief
Marshall Hanafie Asnan and former Army chief Gen. Tyasno Sudarto.
According to Kusnanto, only Endriartono and Tyasno have the
chance to replace Adm. Widodo A.S. as the new TNI chief since
other candidates might not be able to gain the support from the
Army. Widono already surpassed the mandatory retirement age in
1999.
Kusnanto, however, warned that reform within the military
might not work under the leadership of either Endriartono or
Tyasno, and called on the government to lay down a reform agenda
for the TNI.
"The TNI should not formulate its own reform agenda. This
should be done by the civilian government. Whoever is finally
appointed to the job should be able to implement the reforms,"
Kusnanto said.
He also said that the post of TNI chief should be abolished
altogether as it was not sanctioned by the 1945 Constitution.
"The position is only useful during an emergency," he said.
Hermawan also doubted that reform within the military would
continue if Endriartono was appointed TNI chief.
"Those who fill positions such as the General Planning
Assistants and the TNI Chief of General Affairs are crucial in
determining whether or not the reform agenda will be carried
out," he said.
Hermawan cautioned that the appointment of Endriartono as TNI
chief would give the impression that regeneration in the
organization was stagnant.
"Endriartono is coming up on mandatory retirement age soon and
if his military service is extended, it could spark jealousy
among Army officers," Hermawan said.
Endriartono Sutarto will reach the mandatory retirement age of
55 in April 2002.
Meanwhile, Vice President Hamzah Haz underlined that the next
TNI chief should be a figure that could guarantee security in the
country, which was the crucial factor for economic recovery.
"We need to have a figure that understands the changing role
of the TNI. We need the TNI, but in the right proportion, not
like we had before, which was too much," Hamzah told journalists
at his office on Monday.
He underlined that the rotation policy as between the three
military forces was of less importance compared to the quality of
the figure appointed.
"I think the rotation policy is good, but still the quality of
the candidates should be the main factors that are considered,"
he remarked.