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.