GOVERNMENT STATEMENT

Press, Volume XCIV, Issue 28159, 24 December 1956, Page 11

GOVERNMENT STATEMENT

Dismissal Of Commander

(Rec. 9 p.m.) JAKARTA. Dec. 23. The Indonesian Government todav dismissed Colonel Simbolen. commander of the third territorial district. North Sumatra, who earlier announced over Radio Medan that he had taken over the administrative power of the province, and no longer recognised the central Indonesian Government.

The Government's decision was announced in a statement read to the press by the Minister for Information, Mr Sudibjo. was signed by the Prime Minister, Mr Ali Sastroamidjo.

The Government announced that Colonel Simbolen’s deputy should take over command of the district and named a second officer who was to assume command if the first was unable to do so.

General Abdul Haris Nasution, Army Chief of Staff, whose headquarters are in Djakarta, was given direct “tactical command” over regiments at Atjeh and Central Sumatra. The regimental Commander of Central Sumatra. Colonel Ahmad Hussein, has taken over the administrative power of that province. The statement said that only Parliament could decide whether Parliament should go or not go, and called on the Army, police, and the people to uphold the fundamental principles of the constitution. The statement also said that the Government was working to improve the internal situation, and together with Parliament, was working out a new status for the provinces.