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.