The Election Of Army Chief Of Staff Under Jokowi's Era Is Considered To Be Full Of Political Interests

General Andika Perkasa/DOK ANTARA

JAKARTA - Military observer Alman Helvas Ali assessed that the selection of the Army Chief of Staff (KSAD) in President Joko Widodo's administration was full of political interests when compared to the previous administration.

"I see that the politicization of the Kasad election seems to be very strong in the Jokowi era when compared to previous eras, for example in the SBY era because Jokowi's background has never previously worked with the TNI or TNI officers so he usually wants people who have worked with him in the past. one time," said Alman, quoted by Antara, Tuesday, November 9.

Almas emphasized that the position of the Army Chief of Staff was not actually a political position, but in practice it had a political impact and content.

"There is a tug of war on who will become the Army Chief of Staff," said Alman.

He mentioned that many parties suspect that political parties (political parties) will indirectly also have an influence in the election of the Army Chief of Staff.

"This all goes back to political interests, the extent to which politics—in quotes—intervenes in decision-making. There are many allegations that political parties indirectly have an influence," said Alman.

Referring to the laws and regulations, high-ranking officers who can be elected by the President to occupy the position of Kasad are those with the rank of lieutenant general.

There are at least 17 high-ranking TNI AD officers with the rank of lieutenant general, 16 of whom are graduates of the 1986-1989 Military Academy and an officer who graduated from the Indonesian National Armed Forces Career Officer's School (SEPA-PK TNI).

Article 14 of the TNI Law stipulates that the position of chief of staff of the TNI AD is the prerogative of the president by considering the proposal from the TNI Commander.

Of the dozens of names that meet the requirements, a number of observers predict that two to five high-ranking TNI AD officers have a strong chance of being chosen by the President to replace Andika Perkasa.

The Executive Director of the Institute For Security & Strategic Studies (ISSES) Khairul Fahmi predicts that Pangkostrad Lieutenant General TNI Dudung Abdurachman and TNI Chief of General Staff Lt. Gen. Eko Margiyono have a stronger chance than other names.

Meanwhile, intelligence and military observer Susaningtyas NH Kertopati assessed that this strong opportunity might be owned by Deputy Defense Minister Lt. Gen. TNI Herindra, Deputy Assistant Lt. Gen. Bakti Agus Fadjari, TNI Chief of General Staff Lt. Gen. Eko Margiyono, TNI BAIS Head Lt. Gen. TNI Lieutenant General Dudung Abdurachman.