President picks close aide as BIN chief

Fabiola Desy Unidjaja The Jakarta Post/Jakarta

President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono has appointed a close aide and former military intelligence chief, Maj. Gen. (ret) Syamsir Siregar, as the director of the powerful National Intelligence Agency (BIN), replacing Hendropriyono.

Cabinet Secretary Sudi Silalahi said on Tuesday that the President signed the presidential decree on Syamsir's appointment to the post on Nov. 29 and will swear in him at the State Palace on Wednesday.

But, unlike previous BIN chiefs, Syamsir will not be a member of the Cabinet. His post will be on a par with those of the directors of state auxiliary bodies like the National Resilience Institute (Lemhannas) or the National Family Planning Board (BKKBN).

"It has been confirmed that the President has appointed Syamsir Siregar, and his inauguration will be on Wednesday," Sudi said.

Presidential spokesman Andi Mallarangeng said the President had taken into account Syamsir's professionalism before naming him to the post.

"Syamsir's professionalism is unquestioned. He is the right person to lead BIN, and the President trusts him," Andi said.

Deputy Cabinet Secretary Erman Radjagukguk said that under the new presidential decree, the BIN directorship was lower than a ministerial post.

"Unlike in previous administrations, the BIN chief will now be an official who heads a non-departmental state agency. He will not be of equal rank as a minister or other Cabinet members," Erman told The Jakarta Post.

Hendropriyono resigned as the BIN chief after former president Megawati Soekarnoputri left office on Oct. 20.

Syamsir capped his military career as chief of the Indonesian Armed Forces Intelligence body (BIA). His retirement, a month before he reached the mandatory retirement age in September 1996, gave rise to speculation that he was removed by the TNI leadership for opposing the takeover of the Indonesian Democratic Party's headquarters in July 1996. The takeover ended up in bloodshed. The investigation into the case has been reactivated by the Attorney General's Office.

After retiring, Syamsir joined the National Front (Barnas), whose membership was made up of retired military officers critical of former president Soeharto.

Recently, Syamsir joined M. Ma'ruf, who was also dismissed for challenging the July 1996 operation, on Susilo's strategy team during the presidential election campaign. Maruf was eventually named the home minister.

The BIN chief reports directly to the President and coordinates the activities of other intelligence agencies affiliated to the TNI, police and Attorney General's Office.

Commenting on Syamsir's appointment, TNI chief Gen. Endriartono Sutarto said that Syamsir was the perfect choice for the job, citing his previous experience in the Army.