Indonesian president breaks tradition in picking new military chief

Indonesian President Joko Widodo has picked the army chief of staff to lead the military, breaking with a reform-era tradition of rotating the position between the branches of the armed forces. The head of the air force was expected to take command of the military after the current chief, General Moeldoko, also from the army, retires on Aug. 1. Widodo’s decision to promote General Gatot Nurmantyo is likely to cement the army’s traditionally dominant role and inflame long-standing rivalry within the armed forces.

It was supposed to be the air force’s turn so they will be unhappy campers because of this decision.

Yohanes Suleiman, defense analyst

Presidential spokesman Teten Masduki has defended the choice of military chief, which was submitted to parliament for approval on Tuesday, saying it was not necessary to stick to tradition. The decision to allow the army to remain at the helm comes on the heels of contentious moves to allow military personnel to get involved in civilian affairs such as counter-terrorism and anti-narcotics operations.

As commander in chief, the president has the authority to appoint the military head with parliamentary approval.

Presidential spokesman Teten Masduki said in a statement.

Politics