TNI to pick officers for vacant posts

JAKARTA: Indonesian Military (TNI) Chief Gen. Endriartono Sutarto said on Friday the TNI headquarters was now in the process of selecting officers to fill in posts that had become vacant following its latest reshuffle.

"We are now conducting a hearing to pick the best candidate to fill the deputy Army chief's post, as well as other posts that have become vacant after the (previous) officers got a promotion," Endriartono said while leading a handover ceremony where Army chief Gen. Ryamizard Ryacudu was replaced by Lt. Gen. Djoko Santoso.

Djoko was a deputy Army chief before being promoted to the top army post but his successor has yet to be appointed.

"For the time being, Pak Djoko will hold the two posts pending the TNI completing its reshuffle," Endriartono said.

Other senior posts that remain vacant include operation assistant to the Air Force chief and deputy governor of the National Resilience Institute (Lemhanas).

Endriartono was earlier criticized for taking months to appoint a new deputy army chief of staff when he was promoted from that position in 2001. -- JP