President says Air Force officer challenges civilian supremacy

President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono said he could not accept criticism from Air Force officer Col. Adjie Suradji as it constituted a challenge to the civilian supremacy and therefore a violation of the military reform.

Speaking in a press conference following a breaking of the fast get-together with chief editors of national media, the president said the officer set a bad precedent that could endanger democracy.

“Not just in Indonesia, but in all democracies there is no room for a soldier to criticize his commander,” said Yudhoyono, who is the ex-officio Indonesian Military supreme commander. The president likened Adjie to US commander in Afghanistan Gen. Stanley McChrystal, who was dismissed by President Barack Obama for criticizing his policy in the Afghan war.

Adjie wrote an article titled “Leader, Courage and Changes”which appeared in Kompas daily on Monday. He said on Tuesday he was ready for dismissal.

The president said he would not move too far in response to the criticism, but asked the TNI chief, the Air Force chief and the defense minister to take actions in accordance with the law.