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)