JAKARTA. (Oct 9: In the latest reshuffle in Indonesia's divided, confused armed forces. President Abdurrahman Wahid today sacked the chiefs of the army and navy and replaced them during an afternoon ceremony, reports DPA.

The reshuffle, which had been anticipated for several days, comes as the Indonesian Defence Forces (TNI) continues an internal power struggle while simultaneously resisting attempts to subjugated it to civilian rule.

Army General Tyasno Sudarto and navy Admiral Achmad Sutjlpto were the latest casualties. but it remained unclear why they were sacked. They were replaced by deputy army chief General EndriantonoSutartoand navy Admiral Inbroko Sastrowlryono.

"From an organisational point of view, we need to replace these officers." Air Vice Marshall Gralto Usodo. the TNI spokesman, told Deutsche Presse-Agent ur DPA.

Asked whether the officers were doing their Jobs properly, Usodo said. "No."

Replacements at this level are commonly related Io power politics with the presidential palace

and TNI. as loyalties and alliances ebb and flow. The announcement of the reshuffle was delayed during the weekend, reportedly because Wahid and the top brass disagreed over the president's candidate for new deputy army chief.

During the ceremony at the palace. Wahid reiterated promises to modernise the TNI's antiquated defence systems, but warned that its days of dominance In Indonesian political affairs were over.

The government will provide additional equipment to the TNI and improve the soldiers' welfare, but that does not mean a revival of militarism." Wahid said.

The TNI. in particular the army, was the country's most feared and powerful institution during former president Suharto's 32-year regime, playing a central role in politics as well as effectively running far-flung provinces.

However, the pro-democracy movement that led to Suharto's downfall In 1998 stripped away much of the military's luster, and it was soon being publicly castigated for Its past human rights abuses.