Candidate For Panglima Agus Subiyanto 'Geng Solo', Secretary General Of PDIP: Right For TNI Professionality?

PDIP Secretary General Hasto Kristiyanto/PHOTO: Wardhany Tsa Tsia-VOI

JAKARTA - President Joko Widodo's (Jokowi) move to propose the name of the Army Chief of Staff (KSAD) General Agus Subiyanto as a candidate for the TNI Commander in Chief is in the spotlight. Because, he has been with Jokowi since he was still Mayor of Solo.

Agus served as Commander of the Surakarta Kodim when Jokowi served as Mayor of Solo for the 2005-2012 period. In response to this, PDIP Secretary General Hasto Kristiyanto said that the replacement for Admiral Yudo Margono was indeed the president's right but he also had to hear a number of inputs.

"Regarding the TNI Commander, yes, that's the end of the voices of the people that must be heard, including by the government," Hasto told reporters at the High End building, Jakarta, Wednesday, November 1.

"Although we know it is the prerogative of the president, is it really in order to promote the professionalism of the TNI?" he continued.

Hasto reminded the public's voice must be heard. "That it is the prerogative of the president, we fully respect that," he said.

"But the voiced voices must be heard, they must be heard," added Hasto.

As previously reported, President Jokowi has sent a presidential letter to the Indonesian House of Representatives. He appointed Agus Subiyanto to replace Yudo, who will retire soon.

This letter was submitted by Jokowi shortly after Agus was sworn in as Army Chief of Staff on October 25. In the future, the Indonesian House of Representatives will only conduct a fit and proper test of President Jokowi's choice.