Syarwan appointed ABRI political chief

Syarwan appointed ABRI political chief

JAKARTA (JP): Maj. Gen. Syarwan Hamid, who has articulated
most of the military's political views for the past year, has
been promoted to become the Armed Forces Chief of Political
Affairs.

Syarwan, currently assistant to the chief of political
affairs, will replace Lt. Gen. Moh. Ma'ruf in a ceremony led by
ABRI Chief Gen. Feisal Tanjung on Friday, Antara reported
yesterday.

The news agency did not say what new assignment awaits Ma'ruf.

Syarwan's promotion has been rumored for some time as he has
virtually eclipsed Ma'ruf when it comes to explaining ABRI's
political views. This week, he came up with a warning against the
"new left" in Indonesia which he said was even more dangerous
than communism.

Syarwan's current position will be filled by Brig. Gen.
Suwarno Adiwijoyo, currently ABRI's chief of information.

Suwarno will be installed in a ceremony today.

With their job promotions, the two generals, on whose
shoulders now fall the job of overseeing ABRI's socio-political
roles, are up for promotion in rank.

Meanwhile, Brig. Gen. Amir Syarifuddin, currently the chief of
staff of the Trikora command, will move from Jayapura to Jakarta
to assume the job of ABRI's new spokesman. Amir has been involved
this past month with the operation to secure the release of
hostages held captive by the Irian Jaya rebels. It is not clear
when he will assume the new job.

Syarwan and Suwarno are both 1966 graduates of the National
Military Academy in Magelang.

Syarwan's military career include stints as an infantryman in
Denpasar, as intelligence officer in Mataram and latter in Bali,
then as commanding officer in Lebak, Serang, and Cimahi and also
as territorial assistant in the Jakarta garrison. He served as
Army spokesman in 1992 and two years later became ABRI spokesman.

Suwarno's previous positions include chief of staff of the
Siliwangi Military Command in West Java and commanding officer in
West Sumatra. (emb)