Only one candidate for TNI chief, says minister
Tiarma Siboro, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta
President Megawati Soekarnoputeri looks set to name just one candidate for the new Indonesian Military (TNI) chief post early next month in the hope the House of Representatives can give its approval before it goes into recess on March 28.
Her decision to forward just one name to the House signals her determination to expedite the process and not to allow any faction to politicize the replacement of Adm. Widodo AS.
Coordinating Minister for Political and Security Affairs Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono suggested on Friday that it was well within Megawati's right to name a single candidate as "the President holds the prerogative right to select any military commander".
"The House does not choose, but gives its approval. The choice is up to the president," he said, in obvious reference to People's Consultative Decree VII/2000.
"Of course Ibu (Megawati) will propose the name after considering all suggestions regarding the most feasible candidate," Susilo told reporters at his office.
The submission of only one candidate is likely to draw criticism from legislators who have insisted that the President forward at least two names.
The timing of the submission of the candidate to the House is pending the return of House Speaker and Golkar Party chairman Akbar Tandjung from his haj pilgrimage.
The replacement of Widodo has long been a much talked about issue, particularly after Akbar Tandjung revealed in November 2001 that the President was ready to replace the TNI chief, who is pass retirement age.
However, Megawati at the time was opposed by the chiefs of staff who maintained that it was best to retain Widodo as military chief in order to maintain TNI's unity.
Widodo, a 1968 graduate of the Navy Academy, reached the retirement age of 55 in 1999. But his term of office was extended pending the appointment of a new TNI chief.
The new Defense Law passed in November stipulates that only officers in active duty, who have experience as a chief of staff, are eligible for the top TNI post.
This means that there are currently only four possible candidates: Army Chief of Staff Gen. Endriartono Sutarto and his predecessor Gen. Tyasno Sudarto, Navy Chief of Staff Adm. Indroko Sastrowiryono, Air Force Chief of Staff Marshall Hanafie Asnan.
Endriartono will be 55 in April while Tyasno and Indroko will reach that age next year. Hanafie is over 55 and has had his service extended for five years by then president Abdurrahman Wahid in November, 2000.
The race took an intriguing turn recently when Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle legislator Raja Kami Sembiring Meliala, who is known to be a close advisor of Megawati on military affairs, suggested that TNI chief of general affairs Lt. Gen. Djamari Chaniago was a potential candidate.
Djamari, a 1972 Armed Forces Academy graduate, was seen as a potential alternative and is still two years from retirement age.