TNI to announce reshuffle on Monday

TNI to announce reshuffle on Monday

Tiarma Siboro, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta

The Indonesian Military (TNI) will announce on Monday a reshuffle
involving several high ranking officers, including the
appointment of the new Army Strategic Reserve Command (Kostrad)
chief.

TNI chief Gen. Endriartono Sutarto, however, refused to
disclose any names, but asserted that the long-awaited reshuffle
of TNI top brass had been completed after a delay due to the
elections.

"The President has a deep concern about the belated
replacement of the Kostrad commander," Endriartono said,
referring to his private meeting with President Susilo Bambang
Yudhoyono on Friday.

"We plan to announce the name of the officer assigned to the
Kostrad post tomorrow (Monday)."

Endriartono said some officers would get promotions in the
first reshuffle to take place in the administration of President
Susilo.

"The President pays a great deal of attention to regeneration
in the TNI," he said.

Endriartono said he also suggested a process of regeneration
to Susilo as he had done with former president Megawati
Soekarnoputri,

Departing from its usual custom, the Army sent off Kostrad
chief Lt. Gen. Bibit Waluyo a month ago, without naming a
successor. Bibit reached the mandatory retirement age of 55 on
Aug. 5.

Army chief Gen. Ryamizard Ryacudu took over as the Kostrad
chief, pending the completion of the reshuffle.

Brawijaya Military Commander overseeing East Java Maj. Gen.
Ahmad Djunaidi Sikki and Kostrad chief of Staff Maj. Gen. Asril
Tanjung have been touted as strong candidates to replace Bibit.