Widodo dismisses major TNI reshuffle

Tiarma Siboro, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta

Indonesian Military (TNI) chief Adm. Widodo A.S. brushed reports of an impending replacement of himself and all his chiefs of staff aside on Tuesday.

"I have no knowledge about the plan as the Wanjakti has yet to come up with any proposals for a major reshuffle at all," Widodo said, referring to the TNI's high-ranking promotions and duty rotation council.

Widodo was responding to Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDI Perjuangan) legislator Tjahjo Kumolo, who earlier said that his faction in the House of Representatives had prepared several names in the military brass to fill in top positions, including the TNI chief post, and all the chief of staff posts.

The TNI "insists on preparing the reshuffle as part of our hold regeneration process. But thus far, I don't know whether the reshuffle will take place in the very near future," Widodo told reporters on the sidelines of a seminar held by the Indonesian Veterans Legion (LVRI).

Widodo, who is the ex-officio chairman of the Wanjakti, has repeatedly denied that a major TNI reshuffle was in the works.

Regular TNI reshuffles took place last month, but did not affect officers ranked higher than major general.

Coordinating Minister for Political and Security Affairs Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono has said that President Megawati Soekarnoputri would forward only one candidate for the TNI chief slot to the House early in March, and expect to hear the House's response before it enters its recess on March 28.

There has been speculation that Army Chief of Staff Gen. Endriartono Sutarto will follow as the next TNI chief after Widodo extends his term of service until 2007.

In his statement on Monday, Tjahjo said that PDI Perjuangan threw its weight behind Endriartono's promotion as TNI chief. He also said that the TNI change of guard would be preceded by the replacement of all chiefs of staff.

Earlier, chairman of the House Commission I on political affairs Ibrahim Ambong revealed that his Golkar faction would support former Army chief of staff Gen. Tyasno Sudarto as the next TNI chief.

By law, President Megawati Soekarnoputri, who also chairs PDI Perjuangan, must secure the House's approval in appointing the TNI chief.