Jakarta, Sept. 9 -- Defence Minister Sjafrie Sjamsoeddin assumed the role of ad-interim Coordinating Minister for Political and Security Affairs and chaired his first meeting on Tuesday.

Sjamsoeddin, who arrived at the ministry's meeting hall at 3 p.m. Jakarta time, was introduced as acting minister by Deputy Coordinating Minister Lodewijk Freidrich Paulus.

He shook hands with all participants who had awaited his arrival in the meeting room. Among those present was the ministry's secretary, Lieutenant General Mohammad Hassan.

After a brief introduction, the meeting continued behind closed doors.

President Prabowo Subianto had relieved Budi Gunawan of his post as Coordinating Minister for Political and Security Affairs in a cabinet res...