politic

TNI Headquarters: Transfer Of Lieutenant General Kunto Not Related To Political Issues

Head of the TNI Information Center Major General Kristomei Sianturi said that the mutations that have been carried out by the TNI Headquarters, including the mutation of Lieutenant General Kunto Arief Wibowo, are part of career development and organizational needs. 

He claimed that in the process, soldier mutations are always held by the High Rank and Position Council or Wanjakti in a professional manner. 

"Once again, the mutations are not related to political issues," said Kristomei when contacted, Saturday, May 3, 2025. 

He explained that the change in position of Commander of the Joint Defense Area Command (Pangkogabwilhan) I which was previously held by Lieutenant General Kunto Arief Wibowo as per the Commander's Decree Number Kep/554/IV/2025 dated April 29, 2025. 

The TNI leadership, he said, never considered political issues or other issues outside the organization in choosing a replacement figure, including when appointing Vice Admiral Hersan as a replacement for Lieutenant General Kunto Arief. 

Vice Admiral Hersan, who serves as Commander of Fleet Command III, is a former aide to former President Joko Widodo. 

"All considerations are based on organizational needs, according to professionalism, according to proportionality," said Kristomei. 

Meanwhile, through Decree Number Kep/554.a/IV/2025 dated April 30, 2025, TNI Commander General Agus Subiyanto suspended the transfer of Lieutenant General Kunto Arief and six other officers. 

The reason, said Kristomei, was that there were still officers needed by the organization in their previous positions. 

"So, because there was one who could not be transferred. So, the entire series was forced to be suspended," he said. 

Member of the DPR Defense Commission Tubagus Hasanuddin suspected that the suspension of Lieutenant General Kunto's transfer was full of political interests. This is because the suspension was carried out only one day after the transfer decision was issued on April 29, 2025. 

The PDIP politician assessed that the TNI Commander's decision tended to be hasty and easily shaken by political matters. 

"The decision to transfer should be based on the needs of the organization, not on personal requests," said Hasanuddin. 

Chairman of the Setara Institute National Council Hendardi said that the postponement of the transfer of Lieutenant General Kunto strengthened speculation of political issues in the process. 

Tag: Joko Widodo Kristomei Sianturi Kunto Arief Wibowo TNI