TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - President Susilo bambang Yudhoyono has obtained three names to replace General Pramono Edhie Wibowo as the Army chief of staff (KASAD).
“Mr. Edhie will finish this month. He (the President) has made preparations for Edhie’s replacement,” said Army Chief, Admiral Agus Suhartono at the presidential palace yesterday.
Agus did not reveal the names of the potential successors. He only said that the three names would be considered by the president who himself will choose the next army chief of staff. Edhie, who is Yudhoyono’s brother in law, will retire as of May 5, 2013, when he will turn 58, which is the maximum age for an officer in the Indonesian Military
Edhie confirmed Agus’ statement. He says that he has recommended three names to be considered by the president.
“I proposed three star generals whose ages are still possible (for service),” he said at the Presidential Palace.
Cabinet Secretary Dipo Alam and the President’s spokesman, Julian Aldrin Pasha, haven’t given any confirmation on the names of Edhie’s replacement candidates. Phone calls and text messages from Tempo have so far been unanswered.
Rumors have circulated that Edhie will be made a Democratic Party chairman candidate to replace Anas Urbningrum. However, Edhie has persistently denied this. He has stressed that until now, no political parties have approached him or have made any offers for him to join.
About his plans after retirement, Edhie intends to commit his time fully to his family.
“Once my child called me ‘uncle,’ that’s true, I never lie. So, I want to take care of my family first,” he said.
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