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)