Sudi Silalahi put out to grass

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.