(Read also: Air Force chief to be questioned over British chopper purchase)

The three candidates are National Resilience Institute (Lemhanas) deputy governor Air Marshal Bagus Puruhito, the Defense Ministry’s inspector general, Air Marshal Hadi Tjahjanto, and deputy Air Force chief of staff Air Marshal Hadiyan Sumintaatmadja.

Jokowi confirmed that Gatot had submitted the three names to him, but he was still reluctant to disclose which candidate he would pick to fill the soon-to-be vacant post.

“[The names] are in my pocket now. I will announce [the new Air Force chief of staff] soon,” Jokowi told reporters after meeting TNI and National Police leaders at the TNI headquarters in Cilangkap, East Jakarta, on Monday.

Hadi is said to be the strongest candidate for the post. Presidential spokesman Johan Budi did not answer when asked whether Jokowi favored Hadi for the number one post at the Air Force.

Johan said Jokowi had already picked one of the three candidates, but declined to disclose any further information about it.

“Yes, it is true that he [Hadi] is one of the candidates nominated for the post, but I am not sure whether he is the one finally picked by the President. The President has already made a decision on it anyway,” Johan said. (jun)

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