Widodo dismisses major TNI reshuffle

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.