TNI chief succession up to House: Susilo

Tiarma Siboro, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta

President Megawati Soekarnoputri has picked a new Indonesian Military (TNI) chief to replace Adm. Widodo A.S., but the person's name will only be forwarded to the House of Representatives once the situation in the legislative body returns to normal.

Coordinating Minister for Political and Security Affairs Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono told the media that Megawati was awaiting the proper moment to seek the House's approval of the TNI chief candidate, as House Speaker Akbar Tandjung was still in detention over his alleged involvement in a graft case.

The nomination of the TNI chief, Susilo said, was not being done by the government as an institution as it was the president's prerogative to do so.

"The President has decided on the option (of the candidate) but she is currently still studying the situation in the House in relation to the House Speaker's detention," Susilo said after presiding over a coordinating ministerial meeting on security and political affairs.

In particular, Susilo added, the President was wondering whether or not they would leave the day-to-day duties of the Speaker to the collective leadership. According to protocol, the name of TNI chief candidate should be forwarded to the House Speaker.

Susilo further said that the selection process for the new TNI chief would also depend on the House's agenda.

"The President is waiting to see whether the House will arrange a debate on the TNI chief's replacement prior to its recess, which starts on Mar. 28, Susilo said.

Rumors have circulated over the past week that Army Chief of Staff Gen. Endriartono Sutarto would be replaced by the commander of Army's Strategic Reserves Command (Kostrad) Lt. Gen. Ryamizard Ryacudu on March 18. The replacement reportedly will precede a TNI change of guard, with Endriartono, a 1971 graduate of the Armed Forces Academy (Akabri), being tipped as one of the strongest candidates besides his predecessor Gen. Tyasno Sudarto.

Endriartono will reach the mandatory retirement age of 55 on April 29, while Tyasno is due to retire next year.

Based on People Consultative Assembly Decree No. VII/2000, the President has the prerogative of selecting TNI chief candidates but needs House approval before appointing the military commander.

Susilo initially said that the President would submit the name of the TNI chief candidate this month, pending the return of Akbar from his haj pilgrimage. Akbar returned home early in March.

Widodo, a 1968 graduate of the Navy Academy, reached retirement age in 1999. But his term of office was extended pending the appointment of a new TNI chief.

The new defense law passed in November stipulates that only officers on active duty who have experience as a chief of staff are eligible for the top TNI post.