Sudi Silalahi put out to grass

Tiarma Siboro and Fabiola Desy Unidjaja, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta

Powerful coordinating ministry for political and security affairs secretary Lt. Gen. Sudi Silalahi has lost his job in a reshuffle, a move some have interpreted as a further example of the tension between Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono and the presidential palace.

Interim coordinating minister for political and security affairs Lt. Gen. (ret) Hari Sabarno discharged Sudi on Thursday, citing the mandatory retirement age as the only reason behind the reshuffle.

Hari brushed aside this week's speculation the decision was made due to Sudi's close relationship with former security minister Susilo.

Susilo relinquished his post last month after he claimed he had been sidelined by President Megawati Soekarnoputri.

Sudi was a classmate of Susilo and both graduated from the Armed Forces Academy (Akabri) in 1973. Hari said Sudi would begin his retirement in May or June this year.

"It is the right time to begin the process of replacing him," he said.

Sources say Sudi's replacement is an indication of a deepening tension between Susilo's camp in the ministry and the presidential palace.

Megawati has been known to be close to the military, especially during the early years of her presidency. This closeness is reflected in Megawati's military approach on the Aceh separatists and the recent division of Irian Jaya into two provinces, Papua and West Irian.

Hari said the ministry was toying with three names to replace Sudi and did not rule out the possibility the successor would be a civilian.

"This is a career position, not a political appointee. We are also reviewing other officials at the coordinating ministry for political and security affairs," Hari said after attending a cabinet meeting.

State/Cabinet Secretary Bambang Kesowo said Megawati would issue a decree next week, appointing a new official to replace Sudi.

An employee at the ministry said another official, Maj. Gen. M. Yassin, first deputy on homeland political affairs, would likely follow in Sudi's footsteps. Sudi and Yassin were believed to be setting up a political network for Susilo, the employee said.

Sudi would likely be replaced by Demak Lubis, fourth foreign affairs deputy, he said, while Sojuangan Situmorang, an official from the Ministry of Home Affairs would fill Yassin's shoes.

Asked about the replacement Hari said: "There is no connection between the replacement of Sudi and his closeness with Susilo. Everybody in the office worked well with Susilo. Even I had a good relationship with Susilo."

Meanwhile, Indonesian Military (TNI) Chief Gen. Endriartono Sutarto said his headquarters had sent a "secret telegram" on Tuesday to selected ministries asking lower ranking officers assigned there to withdraw.

At least 100 soldiers are assigned as adjutants, drivers and official guards in various ministries.

Endriartono said the withdrawal was a preventive measure for soldiers to avoid "possible political exploitation ahead of the July 5 presidential election."

The new Constitution allows military members to cast their votes in elections, however, Endriartono has made an appeal to his rank-and-file to refrain from taking part in the elections.

"There are soldiers assigned to assist officials who are running for president, and I insist on keeping these kids (soldiers) away from politics (so they) remain neutral," Endriartono said, after attending a coordinating meeting on political and security affairs at the ministry's office.

The Thursday meeting discussed security preparations ahead of the July 5 election, Hari's deputy secretary Brig. Gen. Alex Bambang Triatmodjo said.

The National Police Chief Gen. Da'i Bachtiar, who also attended the meeting, said the police had already prepared seven units comprising about 800 police to protect presidential and vice presidential candidates. They would be on service once the General Election Commission (KPU) disclosed the candidates' names, he said.