Sjafrie vows to maintain city's security and order
Sjafrie vows to maintain city's security and order
JAKARTA (JP): Newly installed Jakarta Military Commander Maj.
Gen. Sjafrie Sjamsoeddin promised yesterday to maintain security
and order in the city and its environs, particularly during next
month's SEA Games and next year's General Session of the People's
Consultative Assembly.
"I will continue my predecessor's policies and improve them,"
he said after his induction as the new commander. He replaces
Maj. Gen. Sutiyoso, who has been elected the new Jakarta
governor.
If approved by President Soeharto, Sutiyoso, 53, will be
installed as Jakarta's eighth governor on Oct. 6, replacing
Surjadi Soedirdja.
Sjafrie was installed as the new commander by Army Chief of
Staff Gen. Wiranto in a ceremony at the military command
headquarters.
Sjafrie said he would safeguard the two forthcoming major
events by applying the same techniques used by his predecessor
during the May General Election.
"I will further consolidate the command's military units," he
said.
Asked about "opposition" leaders and their supporters who
might be considered to be disrupting security, Sjafrie said he
would seek to hold talks with them.
"But when the talks will be held has yet to be scheduled," he
said, smiling.
"They do not disturb security and stability as long as they
deliver their opinions rationally," he said.
He also urged Jakartans to help maintain security and order in
the city. "The success in maintaining security and order depends
on the people's participation as well."
Wiranto thanked Sutiyoso for having successfully maintained
security and order in Jakarta and its surrounding areas.
"I hope the City Military Command can improve its performance
under Sjafrie's leadership," Wiranto said.
Born in Ujungpandang on Oct. 30, 1952, Sjafrie, a 1974
graduate of the Armed Forces Military Academy, spent most of his
career in the Army's Special Force.
He was appointed chief of the Presidential Guard Corps' Group
A in 1993, Bogor Military Commander the following year, and
deputy chief of the Jakarta Garrison in 1995 before becoming the
Jakarta Military Command's chief of staff on Aug. 14, last year.
He has participated in military operations in Aceh, East Timor
and Irian Jaya.
He was involved in the Nanggala operations in East Timor and
Aceh in 1976 and 1977 respectively, the Candraqa operation in
East Timor in 1984, the Maleo operation in Irian Jaya in 1987 and
the 86th Task Force operation in East Timor in 1990.
Sjafrie also participated in a series of military exercises at
both domestic and international institutions.
He was trained in basic special forces tactics in 1975,
intelligence in 1977; underwent airborne training in 1977, 1981
and 1983; attended an advanced military course in 1985; went on
antiterrorism training and strategic intelligence courses in 1986
and attended the Army Staff and Command School in 1988.
Sjafrie is also one of the few high-ranking military officials
who has a formal university education. He got a master's degree
in business administration in the United States in 1993.
Yesterday's ceremony was attended by Surjadi, businessman
Hutomo Mandala Putra, the youngest son of the President, and
Lippo Group Managing Director Roy E. Tirtadji.
High-ranking military officials were also present, including
the Army's Strategic Reserves Commander Lt. Gen. Soegiono, the
assistant to the Armed Forces's sociopolitical chief Maj. Gen.
Bambang Yudoyono and Wirabuana/Unjungpandang Military Commander
Maj. Gen. Agum Gumelar. (jun)
Photo -- Page 3