Jakarta (ANTARA News) - President Joko Widodo (Jokowi) announced on Monday that he has chosen a replacement for Air Force Chief of Staff Marshal Agus Supriatna, who will retire at the end of this month.

"I have picked the name of the candidate proposed by the TNI (the National Defense Forces) chief," the president said during a press conference following a leadership meeting at the TNI headquarters.

However, he refused to divulge the name of the candidate and the date of inauguration into the role of air force chief.

Presidential spokesman Johan Budi earlier stated that TNI Chief General Gatot Nurmantyo had proposed three potential candidates for the role to the president.

His three candidates are Inspector General of the Defense Ministry Vice Marshal Hadi Tjahjanto, Deputy Governor of the National Resilience Institute Vice Marshal Bagus Puruhito, and Deputy Air Force Chief Vice Marshal Hadiyan Sumintaatmadja.

"The president has received the names of the three candidates. It seems that the president has picked one of them, but I dont know when the new TNI Air Force chief will begin in the role," said Budi.

He added that he is not aware when the inauguration will take place. "I will check the inauguration date," said the spokesman.(*)

Editor: Heru Purwanto
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