REPUBLIKA.CO.ID, JAKARTA -- President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono has asked new Chief of Staff of the Army Lt. Gen. Gatot Nurmantyo to consolidate and evaluate in making the army's programs a success.

The army was asked to be more professional and improve its performance in the future, Nurmantyo said after being sworn in by President Yudhoyono, at the State Palace, here on Friday.

He said he would continue the existing program, but some evaluations will be carried out to adjust with the current situation and future challenges.

The new army commander said he would maintain the current conducive situation following the July 9, 2014, presidential election.

The presidential election had received international attention, he remarked.

"In the future, the condition should remain peaceful, and we will always be on guard," he said.

President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono had appointed the commander of the Army's Strategic Reserve Command Lieutenant General Gatot Nurmantyo as the new army chief of staff on Tuesday to replace General Budiman.

"Of course, the presidential decree has been signed and the new army chief of staff will soon be inaugurated," presidential spokesman Julian Aldrin Pasha had replied in a text message received by Antara when asked for his confirmation about the news.

Coordinating minister for political, security and legal affairs Djoko Suyanto earlier said that no politics was involved in connection with the replacement of the Army's Chief of Staff General Budiman.

"It has nothing to do with politics," he said.

Djoko Suyanto said that a change in TNI leadership was a usual procedure as part of a regeneration process, and all changes have certainly been planned carefully.

Defense Forces (TNI) Commander General Moeldoko said that General Budiman would soon enter into his retirement period, and therefore the new appointment was to ensure regeneration.

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