Next president should be 'young civilian': Soemitro<\/p>\n
JAKARTA (JP): Gen. (ret.) Soemitro, a former chief of the
\ndefunct internal security agency, wants to see Indonesia have a
\nnew "young civilian" president in 1998.<\/p>\n
Speaking on Saturday at a seminar on the military's role in
\nnational politics, Soemitro said that it was high time the 1945
\ngeneration quit politics and made way for the younger generation.<\/p>\n
"Give way at the political forefront to the country's best
\nyoung, bright people to face the 21st century," he said during
\nthe seminar organized by local political correspondents' club.<\/p>\n
The 1945 generation refers to the political elite involved in
\nthe struggle for independence that Indonesia proclaimed on Aug.
\n17. President Soeharto, a former army general, is a member.<\/p>\n
Soemitro noted that "more than 80 percent" of the key
\npositions in the bureaucracy and the legislative council between
\n1983 and 1988 went to figures belonging to the 1945 generation.<\/p>\n
The seminar, that also featured military analyst Indria
\nSamego, discussed the relevance of the Indonesian Armed Forces
\n(ABRI) in the current political climate.<\/p>\n
Soemitro said a younger civilian president would facilitate
\ncommunication between the government and his\/her aides -- and
\nthus promote greater openness.<\/p>\n
"You can't expect good communication if the age gap between
\nthe president and his aides is so wide," said Soemitro, now known
\nas a political observer and a businessman.<\/p>\n
Soemitro was interpreting Soeharto's statement of last
\nWednesday when the president reminded the public that he would
\nturn 77 shortly after the 1998 presidential election.<\/p>\n
Soeharto made the comment during a ceremony proclaiming May 29
\nas National Day for the Elderly in Demak, Central Java.<\/p>\n
"The most important thing for me is to complete my term until
\n1998. What happens after that is up to the People's Consultative
\nAssembly," Soeharto said.<\/p>\n
He was responding to a request by an 80-year old participant,
\nurging him to run for election after his current term ends in
\n1998.<\/p>\n
"But you should know that I'll be 77 then, and that is old.
\nI'll be elderly," he said.<\/p>\n
Elderly people are defined in Indonesia those as over 60. The
\nofficial retirement age from the civil service and many private
\ncompanies is 55.<\/p>\n
"President Soeharto's statement implied he would like to give
\na younger person the opportunity to lead this country," Soemitro
\nsaid.<\/p>\n
He added, however, that the President is not always
\npredictable. Soemitro recalled the 1977 general election when
\nSoeharto hinted he was willing to step down.<\/p>\n
"Soeharto said that he was willing to withdraw from the
\nnomination if there was more than one nominee in the presidential
\nrace," he said.<\/p>\n
Soemitro said he would like to see a civilian at the helm
\nbecause a civilian would probably have a better vision to develop
\nIndonesia to face the challenges of the 21st century.<\/p>\n
"Armed forces members are already very busy dealing with
\nsecurity affairs and have little time to expand their vision,
\nespecially in dealing with global issues," he said.<\/p>\n
Soemitro said he was happy to hear President Soeharto
\nacknowledge that the prerogative who to elect as president lies
\nwith the People's Consultative Assembly (MPR).<\/p>\n
The 1,000 member MPR, the country's highest law-making body,
\nis currently dominated by politicians affiliated to the ruling
\nGolkar group.<\/p>\n
It will convene in 1998 to elect a new president and to adopt
\nthe 1998-2003 state policy guidelines, as well as review laws
\nproposed by the three recognized political parties.<\/p>\n
Regarding the armed forces dual role in both defense and
\npolitics, known as dwi fungsi, Soemitro said its philosophy is
\n"good" but its implementation is poor.<\/p>\n
"We've frequently heard that our country is stable and secure.
\nYet, it maintains rules and regulations which are the product of
\nthe emergency period, during the early years of our
\nindependence," he said.<\/p>\n
"Such laws and regulations should be revoked or at least be
\nreviewed," he added.<\/p>\n
He, however, said that the implementation of the dual function
\nshould be reviewed at every election.<\/p>\n
Meanwhile, Indria said that all armed forces members are
\nacceptable for any governmental position, including regent and a
\ngubernatorial posts, as long as they adhere to rules and
\nregulations of the government institutions.<\/p>\n
"A regent with a military background has to comply with the
\ngovernor, not his superiors in the armed forces," he said.(imn)<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/next-president-should-be-young-civilian-soemitro-1447893297",
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