Rumors surround retirement of Cabinet generals
JAKARTA (JP): One of the four active Indonesian Military officers serving in the Cabinet hinted on Wednesday that documents officially retiring them from military service may already have been signed by President Abdurrahman Wahid.
"Well that could very well be true," Minister of Mines and Energy Lt. Gen. Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono replied when asked by journalists if he was now officially retired from active duty.
When pressed further whether Abdurrahman had signed the documents, Susilo again coyly remarked that "it could very well be true".
The three other active military officers in the Cabinet are Coordinating Minister for Political Affairs and Security Gen. Wiranto, Minister of Communications Lt. Gen. Agum Gumelar and State Minister of State Administrative Reforms Rear Adm. Freddy Numberi.
As political reform swept across the nation last year, top brass agreed that Indonesian Military (TNI) and National Police officers wishing to serve in government posts must retire from active duty.
The truth behind the retirement of the four officers remains a much-discussed mystery, as over three months into the life of the Cabinet there remains no official confirmation of their impending retirement.
There was speculation earlier this month that around the Idul Fitri holiday a fortnight ago the President signed a decree terminating their military service.
The speculation came at the same time rumors arose of an impending Cabinet reshuffle.
When questioned by journalists after meeting with the President at Merdeka Palace on Wednesday, Susilo said Abdurrahman did not speak to him about the matter, adding that it should be the task of TNI Commander Adm. Widodo A.S. to inform him of his retirement.
"I've been told by the TNI chief that it's been forwarded to the President," he added.
Much of the focus of the retirement issue revolves around Wiranto, who is regarded as a central political figure in many issues and is one of the key figures in an inquiry on violence in East Timor after the Aug. 30 self-determination referendum in the territory.
Wiranto's retirement from active duty would, at the very least, symbolically detach his official links to TNI, which many consider to be his power base.
Law No. 2/1988 stipulates that the mandatory retirement age for military officers is 55. However if deemed necessary the president, in his capacity as TNI's supreme commander, has the prerogative to extend an officer's active service as long as he has not reached the age of 60.
Wiranto and Freddy both have two years before they reach the mandatory retirement age, while Agum turns 55 on Dec. 1.
Susilo on Wednesday seemed to have some regret at having to retire early.
"I have to retire five years early. But I'm ready... I have to be responsible because I was one of the people in TNI who helped draft the reform concept."
"Either way a soldier must face the consequence of having to relinquish his uniform if he attains a political position outside TNI," the former TNI chief of territorial affairs said.
"I'm very aware that I must face the consequences of what I have said in the past. I must be a gentleman. From the beginning I've been ready to retire," Susilo said, while expressing confidence the other three active officers in the Cabinet would also accept having to retire from the military.
Another former military officer, Minister of Home Affairs Surjadi Soedirdja, retired with a rank of lieutenant general long before being appointed to Abdurrahman's Cabinet. (prb)