Presidential election will be safe: Wiranto

SURABAYA (JP): Army Chief Gen. Wiranto said yesterday that security ahead of the 1998 presidential election was guaranteed.

The election of the president by the People's Consultative Assembly is scheduled for March next year.

Speaking to reporters after inaugurating Maj. Gen. Djadja Suparman as the new East Java military chief, Wiranto said the military was well-prepared to secure the event.

"I've traveled around the country, including to East Timor and Irian Jaya. The situation is really under control," Wiranto said.

"I see no problem. The situation is really good," he said.

President Soeharto is widely tipped to retain his post which he has held over the past 30 years.

Yesterday's regional military chief inauguration ceremony was attended by top Army officials, including Chief of Army Reserve Strategic Command Lt. Gen. Soegiyono and Chief of Army Special Forces Maj. Gen. Prabowo Subianto.

Also present were the newly-appointed assistant to the Armed Forces chief of sociopolitical affairs Maj. Gen. Bambang S. Yudoyono, Army spokesman Brig. Gen. Robik Mukav, former House Speaker and former East Java military chief Maj. Gen. (ret) Syaiful Sulun.

New East Java Military Chief Maj. Gen. Djadja Suparman replaced Maj. Gen. Imam Utomo, who will become a House of Representatives legislator representing the Armed Forces.

In his speech at Djadja's inauguration, Wiranto called on all Armed Forces members to intensify dialogue with all layers of society. (nur/aan)