TNI unveils reshuffle at key posts
Tiarma Siboro, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta
The latest reshuffle in the Indonesian Military (TNI) did not reflect the corps' commitment to regeneration, let alone reform, an expert said on Wednesday.
Ikrar Nusa Bakti of the National Institute of Science said the TNI had broken its own pledge to regenerate its leadership by appointing senior officers who were close to retirement for crucial posts, a decision which was feared to backfire on the internal reform process in the military and the country's unfinished reform movement.
"Appointing an officer who is close to the retirement age will only result in a stumbling block for many officers in the lower ranks to pursue their career," Ikrar said.
He was commenting on the appointment of Vice Air Marshal Chappy Hakim and Vice Adm. Bernard Kent Sondakh, who are nearing the mandatory retirement age of 55, as new Air Force and Navy chiefs of staff respectively. President Megawati Soekarnoputri is scheduled to install them on Thursday.
Chappy, a 1971 graduate of the Air Force Academy, is to replace Air Marshall Hanafie Asnan, while Bernard, a graduate of the Navy Academy in 1970, is to succeed Adm. Indroko Sastrowiryono. Both Hanafie and Indroko are expected to retire.
TNI Chief Widodo A.S. told reporters earlier that the reshuffle was aimed at keeping the regeneration process in the military leadership intact.
Ikrar said the TNI had failed to by-pass the long-standing recruitment system inherited from the past, in which the top brass were selected through candidates' loyalty instead of on merit.
"That's why I'm pessimistic that internal reform will work as expected. The new top brass will have to retire in the coming year while they may not have completed their job to promote the reform to their subordinates," he said.
Widodo told a press conference earlier in the day that the announcement of the reshuffle was a bit sudden, as TNI Headquarters had only received the presidential decree concerning the matter on Wednesday morning.
However, he said the replacement of the two chiefs of staff itself was not a hasty decision, as it had long been discussed within TNI.
Widodo said the reshuffle in the Army would take place at the end of this month at the latest.
The reshuffle will peak with the changing of the guard in the TNI, which looks set to involve officers who are reaching retirement age. Incumbent Army chief Gen. Endriartono Sutarto, who had his service extended to five year, has been dubbed the strongest candidate for the TNI's top post.
Meanwhile, military observer Yahya Muhaimin of the Yogyakarta- based Gadjah Mada University said regeneration and reform in the TNI did not necessarily involve younger officers.
"I believe political interests are always behind a reshuffle for key posts in the military. Age does not matter, because as long as the candidates are capable, accountable, and acceptable, they will not hamper the internal reform and regeneration process," said Yahya, who is a former minister of national education.
Biographies
Vice Adm. Bernard Kent Sondakh. Born: July 9, 1948. Birth place: Tobelo, North Maluku. Previous post: TNI inspector general (2001-2002), operational assistant to Navy chief (2000), planning assistant to Navy chief (2000), Navy staff command school chief (1997-2000). Overseas postings: The Netherlands (1979, 1980), Yugoslavia (1993)
Vice Marshal Chappy Hakim. Born: Dec. 17, 1947. Birth place: Yogyakarta. Previous posts: TNI academy chief (2000-2002), personnel assistant to Air Force chief (1999-2000), Air Force academy governor (1997-1999)