Jakarta – Indonesia's military chief has resigned and President Megawati Sukarnoputri has replaced him with a hard-line general known for his xenophobic remarks and criticism of rights activists, officials said Saturday.
Critics questioned the motive and timing of the moves, since they came little more than a week before Megawati was scheduled to hand power to president-elect Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono on October 20. Gen. Endriantono Sutarto, who has headed the military since 2002, submitted his resignation letter September 24. Megawati formally notified parliament of his resignation and replacement Friday.
Parliament speaker Agung Laksono said Saturday there was nothing unusual about the moves because Endriantono had long talked of retiring and Gen. Ryamizard Ryacudu was one of the candidates in line to replace him.
"I received a letter from President Megawati regarding her approval of the resignation of General Endriantono as military chief and the assignment of Ryamizard as his replacement," Laksono said. "The reason was that Endriantono is now 57 years old."
The change must be approved by the newly elected parliament, although no commissions to discuss the issue are yet in place. And even if parliament approves Ryacudu's appointment, Yudhoyono could still replace him with his own choice when he takes office.
Military spokesman Brig. Gen. Tono Suratman said the military would honor the new appointment, but he joined several legislators in questioning the timing of the moves.
"This seems strange that Megawati would accept the resignation of Endriantono at the end of her term," parliament member Abdillah Toha said, according to Saturday's Republika newspaper. "This should be a decision for the new president. Let him appoint the new military chief."
Endriantono hasn't commented on his resignation. But sources close to the general said he opposed Megawati's recent decision to promote interim Security Minister Hari Sabarno and Intelligence Chief A.M. Hendropriyono to four-star generals.
Ryacudu is a staunch nationalist who has earned a reputation over the years for making controversial remarks. He hailed soldiers who killed a peace-advocating separatist leader as "heroes," called two Germans shot by troops "stupid" for vacationing in a dangerous part of the country, and said human rights workers should have their "heads knocked off." He also is fond of saying that Indonesia is overrun with spies from Australia, the US, U.K. and Israel.
In 1999, the US slapped a ban on Indonesia's military, following the massacre of 1,500 East Timorese during the country's independence vote.
Ryacudu and other hardline nationalist generals have since voiced their anger over Jakarta's close ties with the US in its war against terrorism.