Military chiefs told to stay distant from parties<\/p>\n
JAKARTA (JP): A three-day meeting of regional military
\ncommanders ended here on Friday with a commitment to maintain a
\ndistance from all political groupings -- a break from New Order
\ntradition where military chiefs very often made policies that
\nfavored Golkar.<\/p>\n
Army Chief of Staff Gen. Subagyo Hadisiswoyo told reporters
\nafter the closing ceremony that it had been agreed at the meeting
\nthat regional military chiefs should not support only Golkar, but
\nalso other parties.<\/p>\n
\"The Armed Forces (ABRI) will maintain similar ties with all
\npolitical parties,\" he said, adding that the new concept was born
\nduring the meeting.<\/p>\n
\"The meeting of regional military commanders was used as a
\nforum for ABRI leaders to introspect on their past political
\nstance. The meeting was also preparation to disseminate ABRI's
\nnew concept for its sociopolitical role,\" he said.<\/p>\n
The new concept of ABRI's sociopolitical role was unveiled
\nbefore the media by ABRI Commander Gen. Wiranto last August.<\/p>\n
\"ABRI will now play more of a supporting, albeit influential,
\nrole on the political stage,\" Wiranto announced on Aug. 21.<\/p>\n
\"ABRI does not have to always be at the forefront. ABRI can
\nact as a partner who does not necessarily have to hold a key
\nposition but can still play an influential role,\" he said.<\/p>\n
The ABRI chief also said that the Armed Forces would be ready
\nto share its political role with nonmilitary partners.<\/p>\n
Subagyo said there should then be no more questions about
\nABRI's position in the country's political affairs.<\/p>\n
The Armed Forces' past record of involvement in politics and
\nits strong presence in the political arena have frequently been
\nblamed by some political observers and activists as the cause of
\nslow democratization in the country.<\/p>\n
Armed Forces personnel do not vote in general elections, but
\nthey are currently allocated 75 seats in the House of
\nRepresentatives (DPR).<\/p>\n
Speaking about the spouses and children of Armed Forces
\nmembers, Subagyo said they were given the freedom to channel
\ntheir political aspirations through any political party.<\/p>\n
\"They are free to vote for any political party,\" he said.<\/p>\n
Separately, sociocultural observer Emha Ainun Najib suggested
\nthat the Armed Forces completely abandon its sociopolitical role
\nand play a security role only.<\/p>\n
\"While democratization is the people's main topic of
\ndiscussion, ABRI personnel should not be involved in politics but
\nshould return to the barracks,\" he said in a discussion on
\nviolence held by the National Front -- a body of government
\nopposition groups -- on Friday.<\/p>\n
\"It's high time state leadership and all government policies
\nwere controlled by civilians.<\/p>\n
\"ABRI should only appear when the nation's security and order
\nare in danger,\" he added.<\/p>\n
He mentioned National Mandate Party (PAN) chairman Amien Rais
\nand chairwoman of the splintered Indonesian Democratic Party
\n(PDI) Megawati Soekarnoputri as appropriate figures for the state
\nleadership.<\/p>\n
\"Meanwhile, Armed Forces Commander Gen. Wiranto should step
\naside and leave all state problems to the duet of Amien Rais and
\nMegawati,\" he said. (imn)<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/military-chiefs-told-to-stay-distant-from-parties-1447893297",
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