President discharges Fachrul

JAKARTA (JP): President Abdurrahman Wahid discharged Indonesian Military (TNI) deputy chief Gen. Fachrul Razi on Wednesday and left the position vacant as part of a military restructuring program, his senior aide announced on Wednesday.

Presidential Military Secretary Rear Marshal Budhy Santoso said Abdurrahman had personally given the decree, dated Wednesday, to Fachrul during a meeting at Merdeka Palace on Wednesday morning.

"The reason for the decision is simply to revamp the structure of the TNI to boost its efficiency," Budhy said in a media conference attended by Cabinet Secretary Marsilam Simanjuntak at Bina Graha presidential office.

It is rare for the military secretary to announce a major decision on military affairs. On Tuesday night, Budhy also accompanied Abdurrahman in receiving TNI chief Admiral Widodo A.S. and Army Chief of Staff Gen. Tyasno Sudarto.

The announcement was made almost at the same time as Coordinating Minister for Political, Social and Security Affairs Lt. Gen. (ret.) Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono was attending a meeting at UN Headquarters in New York.

During the meeting, Susilo assured the UN Security Council that Indonesia was serious in bringing to justice those responsible for the killing of three international relief workers in Atambua, East Nusa Tenggara, early this month.

Fachrul's dismissal was announced five days after Abdurrahman said he would take several major decisions within one or two days.

On Monday, he sacked National Police chief Gen. Rusdihardjo and promoted Rusdihardjo's deputy, Comr. Gen. Bimantoro to the position.

"Gen. Fachrul Razi was discharged with honor," Budhy said, adding that he did not know what Fachrul's new position would be.

Then TNI chief Gen. Wiranto endorsed Fachrul's promotion less than two weeks before Abdurrahman became president last October.

Fachrul, who graduated from the National Military Academy in 1970, replaced Widodo early in November. Widodo later took over Wiranto's position.

Fachrul, a native of Aceh, was promoted to a four star general on Nov. 20, 1999.

After Wednesday's announcement, rumors were rife of more dismissals.

The focus is now on the fate of Adm. Widodo and Gen. Tyasno.

Sources close to Abdurrahman said he had told Widodo and Tyasno that he planned to announce an extensive tour of duty at the top of the military because he was not satisfied with the two officers' leadership of it.

"Before presiding over the ceremony to commemorate TNI's 55th anniversary on Oct. 5, the President wants to show that the military is fully under his control," said the source.

Meanwhile, the President visited Vice President Megawati Soekarnoputri at her official residence on Jl. Diponegoro in Central Jakarta on Wednesday afternoon.

An official at Megawati's residence said that according to information he had received Lt. Gen. Agus Wirahadikusumah, who used to be Army Strategic Reserve Command (Kostrad) chief, was also scheduled to attend the meeting.

However, it is unclear whether Agus has returned from a visit to the United States. Agus lost his position as Kostrad chief in late July, just three months after his promotion to the post.

"Agus's future is still very bright," said one of Abdurrahman's advisors.

Both Abdurrahman and Megawati chose not to talk after the meeting. Megawati just waved to the journalists waiting outside her house.

Widodo is scheduled to report to Vice President Megawati Soekarnoputri on Thursday morning. (prb/byg)