Widodo installed as TNI deputy chief
JAKARTA (JP): President B.J. Habibie installed Navy chief Adm. Widodo A.S. as deputy commander of the Indonesian Military (TNI) on Saturday, a move some analysts see as preparing the ground for military chief Gen. Wiranto to become the country's vice president.
While Wiranto again refuted this speculation, Habibie's adviser Dewi Fortuna Anwar, who is also a political observer affiliated with the Center for Information and Development Studies, said there was a chance Wiranto could become the vice president.
Wiranto is seen as a contender for the vice presidency and even the presidency when Indonesia chooses its next heads of state in November. Some media have cited military insiders as saying the appointment of Widodo was designed to ensure a smooth transition of power in the armed forces if this occurred.
However, Dewi said the installment of Widodo was irrelevant to the question of the vice presidency.
"It's not necessary to link (Wiranto's chance at the vice presidency) with the installment of the deputy commander of the military," she said.
Widodo's appointment was necessary because of the TNI's mounting burden, she said, citing security concerns in Aceh and East Timor.
Wiranto said after Saturday's ceremony at the State Palace he needed a deputy because of the vast responsibilities and the complexity of problems which must be handled by the military. "A deputy is necessary, even for the smallest organization in a battalion."
Wiranto cited later in the day preparations for the upcoming General Session of the People's Consultative Assembly and the self-determination ballot in East Timor as additional responsibilities the military must manage.
"It has nothing to do with politics. This is about professionalism," the four-star general was quoted as saying on television.
"Especially with the global changes and competition (facing Indonesia), we now see various threats that we have not seen before," he said.
He said the deputy would complement his own role in the command and control of the forces. "The deputy will be 'attached' to me, so if I should go overseas he will stand in my place .... All this time I have had to appoint one of the chiefs of the military forces to take my place whenever I was away."
Wiranto, who is also defense minister, previously had no deputy, a post which has been vacant for over a decade.
Political observer Arbi Sanit of the University of Indonesia, however, doubted security concerns was the reason behind the revival of a post which was last filled in 1983 by Adm. (ret) Soedomo.
Arbi said Widodo's installment was politically motivated, especially because the Assembly's General Session was approaching. "It couldn't have anything to do with security questions," he said after attending a seminar here.
Arbi, as quoted by detik.com, said Widodo was chosen to fill the post because the Navy was traditionally weaker than the Army. "Wiranto purposefully chose him so he could remain powerful."
He said Wiranto could swing either toward Habibie's camp or that of Megawati Soekarnoputri of the Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDI Perjuangan). If Habibie becomes president, Wiranto could serve as both the vice president and the military chief, he said.
Other analysts have said the military could tolerate Megawati as president only if Wiranto was vice president.
The June 7 general election produced a fragmented political landscape -- although PDI Perjuangan emerged with the most votes, it fell well short of a majority in the House of Representatives.
The race for the presidency, which will be decided by Indonesia's 500 members of the House and 200 appointed representatives, is also wide open.
The military has 38 unelected seats in the legislature and its support could be crucial in building a coalition and choosing the next president. In return, it may seek to have Wiranto elected vice president, analysts say.
Installed as the new Navy chief on Saturday was Vice Adm. Sutjipto.
Adm. Widodo was born in Boyolali, Central Java, on August 1, 1944, Antara reported.(prb/swe)