Jakarta – Indonesian Military (TNI) commander Marshal Hadi Tjahjanto has appointed Lt. Gen. Agus Kriswanto as the chief of the Army Strategic Reserves Command (Kostrad).

Agus, formerly the head of the Army's doctrine, education and training division, replaces Let. Gen. Edy Rahmayadi, who is set to run in the North Sumatra gubernatorial race.

Former TNI commander Gatot Nurmantyo had previously named Sriwijaya Military Commander Maj. Gen. Sudirman to the post in an order that came to light a day after Hadi was announced as Gatot's replacement.

Hadi canceled the order on Dec. 19, 2017, saying the call to undo Gatot's reshuffle was made after an evaluation of human resources and the needs of the military in facing future challenges.

"The evaluation was based on professionalism and a merit system," he said on Dec. 20. "In the development of a military career, there is no such thing as 'like' and 'dislike.'"

Considered to be one of the most strategic command positions in the military, the Kostrad chief is capable of mobilizing a strike force of more than 40,000 personnel. (kmt/ipa)

Source: http://www.thejakartapost.com/news/2018/01/05/tni-commander-appoints-new-kostrad-chief.html