TNI chief to change this month: Top aide

TNI chief to change this month: Top aide

The Jakarta Post, Jakarta

After a rigorous debate between the President and lawmakers
over the replacement of the Indonesian Military (TNI) chief, a
Presidential aide disclosed on Monday that a reshuffle of the
military's top leadership would take place in February.

"Yes, his replacement will take place in February," Cabinet
Secretary Sudi Silalahi told reporters after a ceremony at the
State Palace on Monday.

He said that the President was finalizing talks on the issue
with TNI headquarters.

Sudi refused to confirm whether Army Chief of Staff Gen.
Ryamizard Ryacudu would be named as the new TNI Commander,
replacing Endriartono Sutarto, saying that the President had yet
to decide.

A source close to the Palace, however, said that the President
delivered a letter proposing Ryamizard as the next TNI chief
about two weeks ago. It has also been reported that the President
plans to replace National Police chief Gen. Da'i Bachtiar.

The rumor mill has it that Insp. Gen. Sutanto, a former East
Java police chief, will get the top police job.

An Army source said that TNI headquarters would call for a
hearing to decide on the replacement of the Army chief first,
before the appointment of the new TNI chief.

Ryamizard's deputy Lt. Gen. Djoko Santoso has reportedly been
earmarked for the Army top post.

President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono has been under pressure
from the House to immediately replace Endriartono, who actually
tendered his resignation last year. Some lawmakers have even
insisted that Susilo appoint Ryamizard.

Meanwhile, House of Representatives Speaker Agung Laksono said
on Monday that he had not received any letter from the President
regarding the replacement of the TNI chief.

"Not yet. Had I received the letter, I would have reported it
during the plenary meeting," Agung told The Jakarta Post by
phone.

A staff member, Fauzi Saidi, added that usually such a letter
from the President was brought directly to the House leader by
courier.

"As far as I know, the House speaker has not received any
letter," he said.

The chairman of the House's Commission I on political,
security and foreign affairs, Theo L. Sambuaga, also denied that
the letter had been sent to the House, saying that "as of today,
the House leaders have yet to ask us to arrange a hearing with
the candidates for the TNI commander's post."

Based on the Defense Law (No. 3/2003), the House has the right
to summon any candidate nominated for the TNI top post.