Prabowo to become major general soon
Prabowo to become major general soon
JAKARTA (JP): Brig. Gen. Prabowo Subianto, the commander of the Army's Special Forces (Kopassus), will soon be promoted to Major-General.
Prabowo's promotion is a consequence of the reorganization of the elite red-beret force and of the Strategic Reserve Command (Kostrad).
Army Chief of Staff Gen. Raden Hartono said on Thursday that the reorganization of the two Army units would be conducted in the near future.
He was speaking to reporters after swearing in Lt. Gen. Wiranto as Kostrad's new chief to replace Lt.-Gen. Tarub at the Army's Airborne Brigade Headquarters in Cijantung, South Jakarta.
"The reorganization is an adjustment to current conditions. Situations change over time," he said.
Prabowo, 44, the third son of noted economist Dr. Sumitro Djojohadikusumo is also President Soeharto's son-in-law.
Hartono also said Kostrad's two divisions would be enlarged and led by two-star officers.
"This means that Brig. Gen. Ismed Yusaeri, the current commandant of Kostrad's Division I command will be promoted to major general and Brig. Gen. Djamari Chaniago, commandant of Kostrad's Division II command is to be promoted to the two-star rank," he said.
Decision
President Soeharto, in his capacity of the Armed Forces's supreme commander, recently made a decision to revamp Kostrad and Kopassus, and reserve the number one position in Kostrad for a military official of lieutenant general rank.
Armed Forces Commander Gen. Feisal Tanjung has called the reorganization of Kostrad "natural", adding that this also happened in the United States and other countries.
Wiranto, former Jakarta military chief, was promoted to lieutenant general two weeks ago. Tarub is waiting for his new post as ambassador.
Kostrad's 27,000 personnel are divided into two divisions. One stationed here in Cilodong, and the other in Malang, East Java. The force is better-equipped, better-trained and better-prepared for duties in far-flung regions than the regulars. (rms)