"We believe President (Joko Widodo) has carefully thought about appointing a candidate for the TNI chief's post to ensure a sense of togetherness and justice in the TNI," Meutya Hafid, deputy chairwoman of the House of Representatives' (DPR's) Commission I, stated in Jakarta on Monday.
Tjahjanto --now is the chief of staff of Indonesian Air Force-- is viewed as being capable of leading the TNI since he has served as the military secretary for the 2015-2016 period, a position that necessitates forging sound work relations with the president.
"With such a good track record of working with the president, we expect they will build a strong chemistry together," she added.
Tjahjanto is also viewed as having established sound communication with Commission I, which oversees defense and foreign affairs.
Hafid believes no serious issue will be encountered in the replacement process of the TNI chief in addition to documents and track-record checking for formalities.
The Golkar politician said the House`s Commission I has never rejected any candidate for the TNI chief's post proposed by President Joko Widodo, let alone a single one.
Before the recess during the second session period of 2017-2018, the feasibility and proper test of the candidate of the TNI chief can be conducted. The DPR has two weeks to reach a decision on the replacement of the TNI commander.
The DPR has received a letter from Widodo over the matter.
"Minister of State Secretary Prof Pratikno met me this morning and delivered the letter from the president regarding the replacement of General Gatot Nurmantyo and the appointment of Tjahjanto as the new TNI chief," House Deputy Speaker, Fadli Zon, remarked at the Parliament building here on Monday.
Zon noted that after the letter was received, it was immediately handed over to the DPR secretary general to be processed and discussed at the House`s leadership meeting and deliberation meeting later on Monday.
Zon said it was mentioned in the president`s letter that the TNI chief's replacement will not take a long time.
The politician from Gerindra Party stated that in the letter, the president only nominated one candidate for the post of TNI chief. Zon believed it is the president`s prerogative, but according to the rules of the Act, the candidate for the TNI commander`s post should have served as the chief of staff.
Zon explained that every letter from the president will be read out during the plenary session after which it will be submitted to the relevant commission, in this case, Commission I of the DPR.
Zon noted that the DPR's Commission I will thereafter conduct a feasibility and proper test, and if approved, the decision can be taken during the plenary session.
Hafid believes no serious issue will be encountered in the replacement process of the TNI chief in addition to documents and track-record checking for formalities.
The Golkar politician said the House`s Commission I has never rejected any candidate for the TNI chief's post proposed by President Joko Widodo, let alone a single one.
Before the recess during the second session period of 2017-2018, the feasibility and proper test of the candidate of the TNI chief can be conducted. The DPR has two weeks to reach a decision on the replacement of the TNI commander.
The DPR has received a letter from Widodo over the matter.
"Minister of State Secretary Prof Pratikno met me this morning and delivered the letter from the president regarding the replacement of General Gatot Nurmantyo and the appointment of Tjahjanto as the new TNI chief," House Deputy Speaker, Fadli Zon, remarked at the Parliament building here on Monday.
Zon noted that after the letter was received, it was immediately handed over to the DPR secretary general to be processed and discussed at the House`s leadership meeting and deliberation meeting later on Monday.
Zon said it was mentioned in the president`s letter that the TNI chief's replacement will not take a long time.
The politician from Gerindra Party stated that in the letter, the president only nominated one candidate for the post of TNI chief. Zon believed it is the president`s prerogative, but according to the rules of the Act, the candidate for the TNI commander`s post should have served as the chief of staff.
Zon explained that every letter from the president will be read out during the plenary session after which it will be submitted to the relevant commission, in this case, Commission I of the DPR.
Zon noted that the DPR's Commission I will thereafter conduct a feasibility and proper test, and if approved, the decision can be taken during the plenary session.
Reporter: Imam Budilaksono
Editor: Ade P Marboen
Copyright © ANTARA 2017
