REPUBLIKA.CO.ID, JAKARTA -- Air Force Chief of Staff Chief Marshal Hadi Tjahjanto has strong leadership abilities, President Joko Widodo affirmed.

President Widodo has reportedly suggested that Tjahjanto lead the Indonesian Military (TNI) after Commander Gen. Gatot Nurmantyo retires.

"I believe that the TNI will become more professional under his leadership," President Widodo noted here on Monday.

The president emphasized that the appointment of Tjahjanto as commander of the TNI was in accordance with the procedure.

Gen. Nurmantyo will retire in March next year.

"Hence, this is a normal mechanism, as Mr. Gatot will retire," the president explained.

The president expressed optimism that the proposal for the appointment of Tjahjanto would be received by the House of Representatives (DPR).

The DPR had earlier received a letter from President Widodo on the replacement of General Nurmantyo and the appointment of Tjahjanto as commander of the TNI.

"Minister of State Secretary Prof. Pratikno met me this morning and delivered the letter from the president about the replacement of General Gatot Nurmantyo and the appointment of Marshal Hadi Tjahjanto as the new TNI commander," House Deputy Speaker Fadli Zon remarked.

Zon noted that after the letter was received, it was immediately handed over to the DPR secretary general to be processed and discussed during the House's leadership meeting and deliberation meeting later on Monday.

He said it was mentioned in the president's letter that the TNI chief's replacement will not take a long time.

"We expect (it to be completed) before recess during this session, but we will coordinate with the House Leadership's Commission I and the factions to schedule a fit and proper test," he revealed.

The politician from Gerindra Party stated that in the letter, the president only nominated one candidate for the post of TNI commander. Zon believed that it is the president's prerogative, but according to the rules of the Act, the candidate for the TNI commander's post should have served as the chief of staff.

Zon explained that every letter from the president will be read out during the plenary session, after which it will be submitted to the relevant commission, in this case, Commission I of the DPR.

Zon added that the DPR's Commission I will thereafter conduct a fit and proper test, and if approved, the decision can be taken during the plenary session.

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