Derwin Pereira, Jakarta – President Abdurrahman Wahid yesterday dismissed a second senior general as his government raised the ante to try and solve the growing violence in Indonesia.

Palace sources said General Fachrul Razi, the Indonesian Defence Force (TNI) deputy chief, was replaced because of his alleged links to several radical Islamic groups and his possible complicity in attempts to destabilise the year-old government.

His removal was also a precursor to an imminent military shake up. Speculation is rife that chief Admiral A.S. Widodo and army commander Gen Tyasno Sudarto could be axed from their positions in a matter of weeks.

"The President wants to show that he is getting tough against people – even generals – who are sponsoring unconstitutional acts in the country," said a palace insider who did not want to be named.

The announcement by presidential military secretary Budhy Santoso did not give an underlying reason for the sacking. He said it was a "normal change in the military command structure".

A presidential decree was issued yesterday to "eliminate the position of armed forces deputy commander as part of streamlining", he said. The decree discharged Gen Fachrul with honour. But political analysts said it was aimed at softening the humiliation for the four-star army general.

Observers were intrigued why the TNI or Admiral Widodo did not make the announcement. It has led some to suggest that there is a widening rift between the military and Mr Abdurrahman. Gen Fachrul did not make any comments to the media yesterday.

A source in the State Secretariat said Mr Abdurrahman was upset with reports from his informal intelligence network that the general, who is of Arab descent, was "very close" to radical groups. This included the Front for the Defence of Islam, Masyumi, Kisdi and links to individuals like Mr Habib A. Baaqil – Mr Abdurrahman has accused him of involvement in the Jakarta Stock Exchange building bombing. Gen Fachrul is also considered to be a member of ex-military strongman Wiranto's TNI faction which still carries political clout.

Sources said Mr Abdurrahman could now be going on the offensive against the military to further neutralise the generals, particularly those linked to Gen Wiranto's group.