President set to unveil TNI chief candidates

Annastashya Emmanuelle, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta

President Megawati Soekarnoputri will tender the names of candidates for the position of Indonesian Military (TNI) chief to the House of Representatives before the House reconvenes its sitting on May 13, House Speaker Akbar Tandjung said on Thursday.

"The President told me that the names had been prepared and would be given to the House before it reconvenes from its recess," he told reporters at the State Palace after accompanying President Megawati at the inauguration of National Education day.

Akbar, however, said that Megawati did not mention the names of the candidates who would be appointed to the top military post, nor in what branch of the military they currently served.

Coordinating Minister for Political and Security Affairs Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono has disclosed that Megawati would only submit one nominee for the TNI chief post currently held by Adm. Widodo A.S.

According to People's Consultative Assembly Decree No. VII/2000, the President, in her capacity as the supreme military commander, has the right to appoint the TNI chief from the Army, Navy or Air Force top brass but also requires the House's approval.

The new defense law passed in November stipulates that only officers on active duty who have experience as a chief of staff are eligible for the top TNI post.

Based on the law, Army chief Gen. Endriartono Sutarto, Navy chief Vice Adm. Bernard kent Sondakh and his predecessor Adm. Indroko Sastrowiryono, Air Force chief Vice Marshall Chappy Hakim and his prdecessor Marshal Hanafie Asnan and former Army chief Gen. Tyasno Sudarto fit the formal requirements for the post.

However, analysts argued that none of the candidates met the professional criteria as most of them were likely to hamper reform within the military and the emergence of civilian supremacy.

From the candidates, Endriartono and Tyasno seem to be the strongest, as the others are less likely to be able to gain support from the Army, which is the dominant service.

Endriartono, a 1971 graduate of the Armed Forces Academy (Akabri), who reached the mandatory retirement age of 55 last month, is rumored to be the replacement for Adm. Widodo.

The appointment of an Army general could spark jealousy among the other branches of the military as it would create an impression of stagnation, analysts said. The top military post used to be held by Army generals until former president Abdurrahman Wahid appointed a Navy officer for the very first time.

Analysts warned that reform within the military might not work under the leadership of either Endriartono or Tyasno, and called on the government to lay down a reform agenda for the TNI.

Widodo, a 1968 graduate of the Navy Academy, reached retirement age in 1999, but his term of office was extended, pending the appointment of a new TNI chief.