Markus Junianto Sihaloho – The military would not try to influence President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono in any decision he made to choose a new defence minister, Military Chief Gen. Djoko Santoso said on Tuesday.

Whoever serves as minister is "the prerogative of the president," he said when asked by journalists about the possibility of being replaced when Yudhoyono selects his new cabinet.

Speaking on the sidelines of a medal-presentation ceremony, Djoko declined to comment on whether the military had proposed specific criteria for a new minister, such as whether the post should go to a civilian or to a retired military officer.

The exchange followed speculation in military and Defense Ministry circles that Yudhoyono was considering asking incumbent Minister Juwono Sudarsono to retain the post in his next cabinet.

A military source has insisted Yudhoyono needs to keep Juwono on, at least for the next year, to finalize defense programs and plans.

The 67-year-old Juwono has signalled several times that he wanted to return to academia, most recently as a professor of international relations at the University of Indonesia, rather than continue working at the ministerial level.

Although most of his ministry subordinates are aware of the signals, there are high expectations that he will remain. "He is a good minister who creates a good working environment and always treats us well," a middle-ranking civil servant in the ministry told the Jakarta Globe on condition of anonymity. "We really hope he will remain our minister."

Meanwhile, rumors abound in the ministry as to who might replace him if he does leave. Names touted for the position include two members of the Golkar Party – Muladi, the governor of the National Resilience Institute (Lemhannas); and Theo Sambuaga, chairman of the House of Representatives Commission I, which oversees defense and foreign affairs.

Others mentioned as possibilities included former military chief Marshal (ret.) Djoko Suyanto and Adm. (ret.) Widodo Adi Sucipto, who is the coordinating minister of security, political and legal affairs.

Juwono himself, who has not served in the military, remained tight-lipped about possible replacements.

Meanwhile on Tuesday, Juwono and 70 high-ranking military officers received medals of honor awarded by Yudhoyono for service to their country. Juwono was granted the Yudha Dharma Utama medal, honoring his service in improving the quality of the Armed Forces.

"Over the past five years as Defense Minister, he has kept supporting us and motivating us to do our jobs as well as possible," Djoko said.