No nepotism in Pramono`s appointment as Kostrad chief: Spokesman

General TNI George Toisutta (center), Brig General Lodewijk F Paulus (left), and Major General Pramono Edhie Wibowo (right)

September 30, 2010, Jakarta (ANTARA News) - Major General Pramono Edhie Wibowo`s promotion to the post of commander of the army`s Strategic Reserve Command (Kostrad) has nothing to do with the fact that he is related to First Lady Ani Yudhoyono, a presidential spokesman said.

Speaking at the presidential palace here on Thursday, Julian Aldrin Pasha said Edhie Wibowo`s promotion was fully based upon his competence and normal standards within the Indonesian Defense Forces (TNI).

"This is done based on competence and normal ranking standards in the TNI. I can assure you that it was not based upon family relationship considerations," he said.

He said the promotion of Mrs Ani Yudhoyono`s younger brother was given not without clear and responsible considerations and reasons.

Julian assured that President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono had not interfered in the promotion.

"I know the President fully refers the matter to the TNI. So the mechanism for it is that used by the TNI. You may check yourselves about it to the TNI commander if you think it is necessary," he said.

Major General Pramono Edhie Wibowo was promoted as Kostrad commander by the TNI commander in a decree Number Kep/630/IX/2010 dated on September 27, 2010.

The handing over of the post from current Kostrad commander Lt Gen Burhanuddin Amin would be done at the end of next month.

Major General Pramono Edhie Wibowo who is currently commander of the 3rd Siliwangi Regional Military Command was formerly chief of the army`s special forces Kopassus from July 1, 2008 to December 4, 2009.

ANTARA News