His troops managed to recapture Padang and Bukittinggi, and this success led to his being promoted to 2nd deputy Army chief of staff on 1 September 1962, and then Army chief of staff on 13 November 1963 (automatically becoming a member of the cabinet), replacing General Nasution, who was appointed Minister of Defence.
Pasukannya berhasil merebut kembali Padang dan Bukittinggi, dan keberhasilan ini menyebabkan ia dipromosikan menjadi wakil kepala Angkatan Darat ke-2 staf pada 1 September 1962, dan kemudian Kepala Angkatan Darat stafnya pada 13 November 1963 (otomatis menjadi anggota kabinet), menggantikan Jenderal Nasution.