President to replace police chief, attorney general, military commander

President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono said Tuesday he would replace National Police chief Gen. Bambang Hendarso Danuri, Attorney General Hendarman Supandji and Indonesian Military (TNI) chief Gen. Djoko Santoso, who will all be retiring.

The president warned all parties against politicizing the change of guards, saying he would select replacements for the three state officials in accordance with the existing laws.

“I have received many text messages regarding the matter. I don’t like those who mixed external and internal interests related to the replacement of TNI commander, attorney general and the police chief,” Yudhoyono said in a Cabinet meeting.

“Frankly I say I don’t expect any political maneuvering that will tarnish the process to happen and I don’t want to see any internal conflict mar the selection of new officials.”

The president asked Bambang and Hendarman to solve all legal cases they were handling in the rest of their tenure.

According to the amended Constitution, the president appoints the police and military chiefs upon approval of the House of Representatives.