Back into politics?<\/p>\n
The Indonesian Military (TNI) is once again issuing strong
\nstatements. This time it is aimed at those who intend to bring
\ndown the lawful government, for instance by calling a special
\nsession of the People's Consultative Assembly (MPR). Such a
\nstatement was made recently by the Army's chief of staff Gen.
\nTyasno Sudarto.<\/p>\n
Speculation has been rife in recent days that (MPR Speaker)
\nAmien Rais and (House of Representatives Speaker) Akbar Tanjung
\nare quietly working toward turning the upcoming regular session
\nof the MPR into a special session for the purpose of impeaching
\nPresident Abdurrahman Wahid. Both Amien and Akbar have denied
\nsuch plans, though both remain critical of Abdurrahman -- which
\nis entirely acceptable in a democracy.<\/p>\n
The most interesting aspect in the polemic, however, is TNI's
\ngoing back to issuing political statements. Statements such as
\nthat (plotting) a special session of the MPR is unconstitutional
\nand TNI's determination to oppose any effort to bring down the
\nlegitimate government are clearly strongly politically charged.<\/p>\n
Such statements would obviously lead people to ask whether TNI
\nat present is truly neutral or whether it has gone back to
\nserving as a prop for those in power.<\/p>\n
-- Republika, Jakarta<\/p>", "url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/back-into-politics-1447893297", "image": "" }, "sponsor": "Okusi Associates", "sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com" }