The Indonesian Military Wednesday replaced Marine Corps Commander Maj. Gen. Safzen Noerdin following a fatal shooting last week that killed five villagers in East Java over a land dispute.

In a ceremony at the marine headquarters in South Jakarta, Noerdin was replaced by U.S.-trained Maj. Gen. Nono Sampono, 54, a native of East Java who has served as the presidential guard commander.

But Navy Chief of Staff Admiral Slamet Soebijanto denied the reshuffle was linked with the shooting.

"The replacement has nothing to do with the shooting incident in the town of Pasuruan, East Java, sometimes ago because it has been planned and decided a month earlier," he said in a speech.

Noerdin now has a new post at the Armed Forces Headquarters.

Five people were shot dead during a protest against the marine's plan to acquire a land set to become a training ground for the marine in Pasuruan.

The military headquarters has formed an inquiry team into the incident.

Source: Xinhua