"The appointment was done based upon the standard system in the Indonesian Defense Forces (TNI), career development and professionalism and not nepotism or because he is the President`s brother-in-law," Dipo said here on Thursday with regard to the planned installation of Lt Gen Pramono Edhie Wibiwo as the new army chief of staff.
The commander of the army`s Strategic Reserves Command (Kostrad) is to be installed by the President on Thursday as the new army chief of staff to replace General George Toisutta who has entered retirement.
Dipo said like retired general Wiranto and retired general Try Sutrisno (former TNI commanders) Lt. Gen. Pramono was a former adjutant during former president Megawati`s era.
"The system in the TNI so far is that those who serve as presidential adjutants are the best soldiers," he said.
Dipo also said that Pramono Edhi had also built his career up from the bottom. Lt. Gen. Pramono was also the best graduate of the Military Academy in 1980 and had held the post of West Java Siliwangi military commander in 2009 before becoming the Kostrad commader in 2010. "He was also commander of the army`s special force Kopassus from 2008 to 2009," he said.
Dipo said therefore he viewed connecting Pramono`s promotion to the 2014 presidential election was too much.
"The presidential election in 2014 is not determined by SBY (President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono) bu by the people of Indonesia. Let the people make their own choice," he said.
Dipo said Indonesia is a republic based on democracy and not like in the Middle Eastern countries or North Korea where the rulers could appoint family members, children or wife to replace them.
"This is not a dynastic rule and SBY as he has stated before an HIPMI meeting recently is not preparing his family members to replace him. It means there is no crown prince," he said.
Dipo said he thought efforts to smear Pramono`s promotion as nepostism and preparation for the 2014 presidential election were made by those who have an interest in the election such as from those who wish to run for president or vice president or their supporters.
"Do not worry. People have been smart enough to make a choice. This is not an election of heads of neighbours, villages, subdistricts, or districts where incumbents often appoint family members to replace them following the expiration of their terms of office," he said.
(Uu.H-YH/HAJM/F001)
Editor: Priyambodo RH
Copyright © ANTARA 2011
