Prabowo to accept new post in ceremony today

JAKARTA (JP): Rife speculation about the sudden replacement of Lt. Gen. Prabowo Subianto as head of the Army's Strategic Reserves Command (Kostrad) was fanned further yesterday by news the handover ceremony for Prabowo's new post, heading the Armed Forces Staff and Command College, would be held here this morning instead of Bandung, West Java, where the college is located.

No immediate reason was given on the break with tradition. Prabowo will replace Lt. Gen. Arie Kumaat to Prabowo in the ceremony at the Armed Forces headquarters in Cilangkap, East Jakarta.

Arie confirmed the change in venue but gave no further explanation.

"According to plan, it will be held tomorrow, Thursday," he said as quoted by Antara.

Minister of Defense and Security Affairs/Armed Forces Commander Gen. Wiranto himself will oversee the ceremony.

Prabowo, who is Soeharto's son-in-law, was abruptly replaced as commander of the prestigious force on Friday, just one day after Soeharto resigned from the presidency.

Prabowo's replacement was held in a closed ceremony barred to the press. Prabowo only headed Kostrad for two months.

In a strange twist of events, the new commander of Kostrad Maj. Gen. Johnny Lumintang, held the post for just 18 hours before he in turn was replaced by Maj. Gen. Djamari Chaniago.

Wiranto has already denied adverse rumors about Prabowo's sudden removal, saying his reassignment was a normal "tour of duty" and that the transfer had long been planned. (mds)