Wiranto lashes out at critical officer
Wiranto lashes out at critical officer
JAKARTA (JP): Minutes after he was formally suspended from his
cabinet post Gen. Wiranto lashed out at Maj. Gen. Agus
Wirahadikusumah for his persistent public attacks against him and
told the Wirabuana Military Commander to mind his own business.
When asked by journalists about comments from Agus, Wiranto
said such affairs were not Agus' concern.
"As a regional military commander I don't believe he should
directly involve himself in national politics. Why doesn't he
just take care of his command," Wiranto charged.
"He has enough issues in his military command to give him a
headache."
Agus has been in the media spotlight in recent months for
controversial statements which have often gone contrary to the
regular TNI line.
Last month when it was first rumored Wiranto might be
replaced, Agus blatantly belittled Wiranto's military influence
by saying President Abdurrahman Wahid should not fear Wiranto as
the latter no longer held paramount influence within TNI.
On Sunday Agus said "with all due respect, as his junior, I
wish Wiranto would resign." He added that any political ambitions
Wiranto harbored should be pursued by joining the Golkar Party.
On Monday Agus refused to respond to Wiranto's critique,
saying "his comments against me were superfluous and did not
tackle the core issue.
Stopping short of calling it insubordination, Wiranto on
Monday decried the vicious attack from his junior.
"I am still an active four-star general. But there is this
active two-star general who always criticizes, censures and
publicly give his opinion of me," Wiranto remarked.
"I believe that as an officer it (his actions) has veered from
an ethical point."
Wiranto described Agus' remarks as a failure of the Indonesian
Military (TNI) in grooming up-and-coming officers.
"I, of course, also feel sad and guilty as I was also
responsible in helping groom my officers," he added.
The former military chief then called on top military brass to
take stern action in ensuring that its officers do not step
beyond the boundaries of responsibility given to them.
"I think TNI should be assertive in developing, arranging and
defining the job descriptions of its officers," he added.
"I'm not talking about betrayal...(But) In a military
organization unity, loyalty and allegiance are foundational
principles which must be upheld."
Wiranto also questioned Agus' own consistency, who, he claims,
continuously advocates the retrenchment of the military from
politics while he himself delves into political matters.
"In my view his own assertions, lately, have delved more into
politics than security and defense matters." (27)