TNI promotes Aceh commander
TNI promotes Aceh commander
Yuli Tri Suwarni, Bandung
Aceh military operation commander Maj. Gen. George Toisuta will
soon be promoted to head the first division of the Army's
Strategic Reserves Command, the Indonesian Military (TNI)
spokesman said.
"It is just a routine rotation," Maj. Gen. Sjafrie Sjamsoeddin
told reporters after a briefing at the Army's Staff and Command
School in this hilly West Java city.
George is one of more than 80 TNI personnel who are being
promoted or given new postings.
The government lifted the one-year martial law in the restive
province on May 19 but said it would maintain the presence of
troops there to fight Free Aceh Movement (GAM) rebels despite the
province now being in a state of civilian emergency.
Sjafrie said the military operation commander position would
be held simultaneously by Maj. Gen. Endang Suwarya, who is
commander of the Iskandar Muda Military Command.
More than 2,000 people, including civilians, have been killed
during the one-year military operation. Gunfights between TNI and
GAM continue even after the lifting of martial law. It is unclear
if the lifting of martial law is linked to the upcoming
presidential election.
Along with the change of status, the government also announced
that Aceh Governor Abdullah Puteh would be assisted by a team
from Jakarta. Puteh has been named the administrator of the
province during the state of civil emergency.
Jakarta's move is seen as a vote of no confidence in Puteh,
who is being investigated for corruption. Police have reportedly
asked for the President's permission to question the governor,
while the Corruption Eradication Commission is planning to take
over the graft case if the police fail to obtain permission to
question the governor.
Puteh is reportedly involved in the alleged markup in the
price of new power generators that caused Rp 30 billion (US$ 3.3
million) in state losses. The governor is also allegedly involved
in the markup in the purchase of a Rp 12 billion Russian Mi-2
helicopter.