Devi Asmarani, Jakarta – Exactly a month since its launch in Jakarta, General Wiranto's CD has made its way to the top racks at record stores in Indonesia where the best-selling new releases are usually placed.

Said producer of the album, Mr Judi Kristanto: "We produced 40,000 CDs and 50,000 cassettes for sale. Some 30,000 CDs have been sold already." He did not have the number for the sale of cassettes.

Each of these CD packs is retailing for 45,000 rupiah (S$9) in Indonesia. But with the average price for CDs ranging from 80,000 to 140,000 rupiah, music watchers and the General's critics say the album has been priced low to allow for a wider reach.

Although Gen Wiranto has been quick to deny anything political in his actions, critics are reading closely into his move to donate all proceeds from the sale of his CD to the refugees in Aceh, Ambon and West Timor through the Indonesian Red Cross.

Unmindful of all this and enthused by the sales so far, the General and his team are more occupied with a marketing campaign to promote sales in cities across the country.

Recently, the former military chief, an avid karaoke singer in his heyday, staged a live show for his fans in Medan and was expected to do another one in Palembang over this weekend.