TNI chief succession up to House: Susilo

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.