Susilo promises to be president for all Indonesians

New president promises to solve the country's problems. The army's economic power is reduced causing dissatisfaction among its ranks.

Jakarta (AsiaNews) – "I promise to be president for all Indonesians, to give them and the country all my best", the newly-elected Indonesian President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono said in a speech at his residence Cikeas House in Bogor. He vowed that in the first 100 days of his administration he will end separatism in Aceh and Papua, revive the economy and come up with a strategy to fight corruption. The president also urged supporters of former president Megawati to accept electoral defeat and assure a smooth transfer of power scheduled for October 20.

The transition has however seen Indonesian Military Chief General Endriartono Sutarto resign on October 9. His decision was unexpected and left many wondering about what negative impact it might have on the political situation coming so close to Susilo's swearing in ceremony.

Although she is on her way out, President Megawati accepted Sutarto's resignation and appointed General Ryamizard Ryacudu as a replacement.

For some times the army has been discretely expressing its dissatisfaction towards certain decisions. In early October, the Indonesian parliament passed a law upholding certain powers and privileges for the army's top brass but depriving them of the right to manage commercial or financial companies.

The law marks a new watershed between civilian and military power altering the relationship that once existed under the military dictatorship that ruled the country till 1998. Under General Suharto, the army managed a good portion of the Indonesian economy and was guaranteed about a hundred seats in parliament. The armed forces were thus not at the service of the state but its partner. (MH)

• indonesia
• elections
• president
• transition
• democracy
• army
• economy
• civil
• rights