TNI unveils reshuffle at key posts

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)