TNI Chief Djoko Suyanto to transfer post to successor Jan 8

Marshal Djoko Suyanto is scheduled to transfer the post of National Defence Forces (TNI) chief to his successor, General Djoko Santoso, on January 8, a spokesman said.

The transfer of post would take place at the TNI Headquarters in Cilangkap, East Jakarta, spokesman of the TNI Headquarters Rear Marshal Sagom Tamboen said on Wednesday.

Djoko Santoso was the only candidate proposed by President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono to the House of Representatives (DPR) for the post.

Djoko Santoso, who graduated from the Military Academy in 1975 spent most of his past career in the Army`s intelligence service. He began assuming leading positions in the Army when he was appointed chief of the Pattimura Regional Military Command concurrently commander of Security Restoration Operations in Maluku province in 2002-2003.