Rumors surround retirement of Cabinet generals

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)