President Jokowi to Name New TNI Chief Soon, Says VP Amin

SURAKARTA, KOMPAS.com - President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo will announce the name of new Indonesian National Armed Forces (TNI) Commander to replace General Andika Perkasa soon, Vice President Ma'ruf Amin said.

“Be patient, we are waiting, and it might be soon. I think it will be soon,” Ma'ruf said on Monday, Nov. 21.

The vice president made the statement in response to queries on the successor to Andika, who will enter the mandatory retirement age of 58 by Dec. 21.

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“It is within the presidential prerogative. The president still has no statement about this, let us wait how the president will say, or if there would be an extension or not, and (if not), who will replace (Andika),” he said.

He went on to say that the president, as required by law, would select the new TNI chief only among the current chiefs of staff.

“I believe the criteria is clear that (the new TNI chief) will be selected among chiefs of staff, it is clear. However, the final decision would be within the presidential prerogative,” Amin said.

According to Law No. 34/2004 on the military, a TNI commander is appointed and dismissed by the president with approval of the House of Representatives.

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The TNI chief's position can be occupied by active high-ranking officers from the three branches of the army, navy, and air force, who are serving as the chief of staff.

The parliament's approval of the proposed TNI commander must be conveyed within 20 days after the president submits the proposed name to the parliament. Rejection of the proposed name must be accompanied by a written statement explaining about the decision.

Currently, the Indonesian Army chief of staff is General Dudung Abdurrachman, while Admiral Yudo Margono is serving as the chief of staff of the Indonesian Navy and Marshal Fadjar Prasetyo as the chief of staff of the Indonesian Air Force.

Source: State News Antara