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.