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Indonesian Military (TNI) Commander Wants to be Replaced Soon
Friday, 01 July, 2005 | 04:41 WIB

TEMPO Interactive, Jakarta:General Endriartono Sutarto, Indonesian Military (TNI) Commander in Chief, has said he hoped that the President would soon implement his replacement as TNI Commander, as has been carried out with the National Police chief.

“I want to be replaced as soon as possible,” Sutarto stated before meeting with President Yudhoyono on Tuesday (28/06) at the State Palace in Jakarta.

According to Sutarto, it would be better in terms of the interests of the TNI, for the replacement of the TNI Commander to be carried out as soon as possible.

However, he rejected the option of the TNI Commander’s position being rotated from every force.

Asked if former TNI Army chief of staff Gen. Ryamizard Ryacudu, who is still active on duty, would be suitable for the TNI Commander position, Sutarto said that all chiefs of staff or former chiefs of staff who are still active are entitled to hold this position.

However, Sutarto added, the one to be elected is the one most suitable taking into account the current circumstances.

House of Representatives (DPR) Speaker Agung Laksono said that the replacement of the TNI Commander must be carried out in stages ,following the replacement of the National Police chief.

According to Laksono, the replacement of the TNI Commander is not urgent.

He went on to say that, the TNI Commander candidate could be one of the current chiefs of staff.

Laksono added that the DPR is not in the position to decide who should be the TNI Commander.

“We hand over the decision on this matter to the president and will proceed this based on the law,” he stated. (Sunariah-Tempo News Room)