Military unlikely to quit politics: Experts<\/p>\n
Kurniawan Hari, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta<\/p>\n
As Maj. Gen. Kohirin Suganda was wrapping up the military\/police
\nfaction's comments on President Megawati Soekarnoputri's progress
\nreport at the last People's Consultative Assembly session on
\nSaturday, he suddenly recited a poem titled Pamit (Farewell).<\/p>\n
The poem implied that the Indonesian military (TNI) had played
\nan important role in the independence struggle and during the so-
\ncalled development era, and that the reform movement had forced
\nit to leave politics.<\/p>\n
The military\/police faction has 38 members in the Assembly and
\nthe House of Representatives.<\/p>\n
Experts suggested on Wednesday that the TNI and police would
\nofficially quit the House on Thursday, but would never leave
\npolitics entirely.<\/p>\n
Analysts Ikrar Nusa Bakti of the Indonesian Institute of
\nSciences and Fachry Ali of the Institute for the Study and
\nAdvancement of Business Ethics said on Wednesday the military
\nwould continue to carry political weight, even outside the
\nlegislative body.<\/p>\n
\"After all, the TNI is not a professional military. I think
\nthe TNI is a political military,\" said Ikrar told The Jakarta
\nPost.<\/p>\n
The military, which has been represented in the House since
\n1960, is to quit the legislative body today as part of reforms it
\nhas undertaken since the downfall of former president Soeharto in
\n1998.<\/p>\n
During a discussion in 2002 of amendments to the 1945
\nConstitution, the Assembly, the country's highest legislative
\nbody, agreed that all members be directly elected in a general
\nelection.<\/p>\n
Since the TNI and police are not permitted to set up political
\nparties, the decision virtually ruled out the possibility of
\nactive military and police officers holding a seat in the
\nAssembly, which comprises the House and the Regional
\nRepresentatives Council.<\/p>\n
New House and regional council members elected on April 5 are
\nto be sworn in on Friday.<\/p>\n
Ikrar said at least two reasons existed as to why the TNI
\nwould likely continue to wield political influence: its
\nhistorical claim and competence.<\/p>\n
The TNI's historical claim is that it played a crucial role in
\nnation building since the independence struggle, while its
\ninstitutional competence gives the TNI confidence that it can do
\na better job than civilians.<\/p>\n
The victory of Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono, a retired four-star
\nArmy general, in the landmark presidential election could boost
\nthe TNI's self-image.<\/p>\n
Fachry, meanwhile, said the TNI as an institution may not
\nmeddle in political affairs, but its personnel would still have a
\nstrong influence on national politics.<\/p>\n
\"Just like Muslim organizations Muhammadiyah and Nahdlatul
\nUlama, the TNI will still have political influence,\" he said.<\/p>\n
Both Ikrar and Fachry agreed that the position of TNI
\ncommander, which is often perceived to be on a par with a Cabinet
\nminister and thus included in Cabinet meetings, would preserve
\nTNI's political influence.<\/p>\n
\"As long as the TNI commander is invited to Cabinet meetings,
\nthe TNI will continue to play politics. The TNI can make
\nrecommendations on various issues,\" Ikrar said.<\/p>\n
Separately, Golkar secretary-general Lt. Gen. (ret) Budi
\nHarsono said Oct. 1 would be an historical day, not only for the
\nTNI, but also for the nation's democracy.<\/p>\n
\"The TNI's exit from the House will also mean its exit from
\npolitics,\" said Budi, a former chairman of the House
\nmilitary\/police faction.<\/p>\n
Budi hoped the TNI would become more professional and focused
\non its duties to maintain national security.<\/p>",
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