Indonesian President Endorses Army Chief to Head Military

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Last updated at: (Beijing Time) Monday, May 13, 2002

Indonesian President Endorses Army Chief to Head Military

Indonesian President Megawati Soekarnoputri has endorsed the Army Chief of Staff General Endriartono Sutarto to become the new chief of the Indonesian Defense Force (TNI).

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Indonesian President Megawati Soekarnoputri has endorsed the Army Chief of Staff General Endriartono Sutarto to become the new chief of the Indonesian Defense Force (TNI).

The endorsement was contained in a letter to the House of Representatives, read by House Deputy Speaker Soertarjo Soerjoguritno during the opening of the House's fourth session here Monday.

Megawati reportedly sent the letter to the House last Friday. She said Sutarto is the most eligible figure to succeed incumbent TNI chief Adm. Widodo A.S., who has reached retirement age.

If the House approves the president's candidate for military chief, it will proceed with the appointment.

Following Megawati's proposal of putting Sutarto as the only candidate for the TNI chief, some legislators expressed their supports.

"Given current conditions, he (Sutarto) is the right man to serve as TNI chief, and he also has supporting capabilities", Budi Harsono, chairman of Military/Police faction in the House, was quoted by the Antara News Agency as saying.

Besides, Sutarto's appointment was supported by chiefs of staff of the Indonesian Navy and Air Force as they both were involved during selection process, Budi added.

Separately, chairman of Commission I Ibrahim Ambong welcomed Sutarto by describing him as the appropriate figure who has acceptable political ideas. Ibrahim referred to Sutarto's rejection against a presidential decree on parliament dissolution during former president Abdurrahman Wahid administration.

"Parliament can not be dispersed by president instruction. Sutarto's political policy at that time was a good attitude", Ibrahim said.

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