Wiranto says appointment of deputy not a political move

Wiranto says appointment of deputy not a political move

JAKARTA (JP): Minister of Defense and Security/Indonesian
Military (TNI) Commander Gen. Wiranto said the installment of his
new deputy today was aimed at improving TNI's professionalism and
had nothing to do with politics.

Wiranto dismissed speculations that the position, last filled
in 1983, was renewed in anticipation of the upcoming presidential
election, as he was marked by some for either vice president or
president.

"It has nothing to do with politics. This is about
professionalism," Wiranto said on his decision after visiting
athletes being groomed for the 20th Southeast Asian (SEA) Games
at Senayan athletic stadium on Friday.

Wiranto confirmed he had picked Navy Chief Admiral Widodo
A.S., 54, as his deputy, and assigned Vice Admiral Achmad
Sutjipto, 54, currently deputy Navy chief, to replace Widodo.

Both will be installed today by President B.J. Habibie,
according to the schedule at the State Palace.

"TNI needs a complementary leader from its other element to
make it more effective in maintaining national integrity and
legal jurisdiction. So we decided to appoint TNI's deputy
commander from the navy," he said.

Wiranto cited security reasons and anticipation of tighter
competition in trade and industry which he said was why the
position of deputy commander was reinstalled.

He said in the future Indonesia would have to develop its
maritime resources to increase national income while the military
should also safeguard sea passages from any illegal trespassers.

"The sea has a significant role ... regarding the potential of
natural resources and in preserving national security. We have
sea passages that offer positive things for our economy but they
have a lot of access and can be easily infiltrated," he said.

Higher competition in the future would also include dependence
on ocean resources, which therefore had to be safeguarded, he
said.

Wiranto refused to mention how long he would retain the post.

"Any organization should adjust itself to strategic
development. Organizations are very dynamic and I don't know how
long I will keep the post," the four-star general said.

The position of deputy commander was last held by Admiral
Soedomo in 1983 under the late minister of politics and security,
Gen. M. Panggabean. Admiral Sudomo was then also commander of
security and order.

The new military commander Gen. Benny Moerdani, who served in
the following Cabinet until 1988, did not have a deputy.

Retired army general Rudini was quoted on Friday as saying he
hailed the decision.

"Every military command should have a deputy. That way, there
will be no leadership vacuum in case the commander is suddenly
made permanently unavailable," Rudini told Antara.

Meanwhile legislators differed on the decision, with at least
one, YB Wijanjono from the Indonesian Democratic Party (PDI),
saying Wiranto should have informed them beforehand.

Uray Faisal Hamid of the United Development Party (PPP) said
the task of the military commander was now more difficult,
particularly regarding developments in volatile areas like Aceh
and East Timor, the news agency reported.

Admiral Widodo A.S. holds several awards for service. He
graduated from the Navy Academy in 1968 and served, among other
positions, as an assistant for operations in East Indonesia in
1991, according to the navy's information department.(ivy/prb)