PDI-P, Golkar dismiss antimilitary protests<\/p>\n
JAKARTA (JP): The two largest factions in the People's
\nConsultative Assembly -- the Indonesian Democratic Party of
\nStruggle (PDI Perjuangan) and the Golkar Party -- have brushed
\noff the outcry over the continued presence of the Indonesian
\nMilitary (TNI) and National Police in the nation's highest
\nlegislative body, saying they were still needed to help advise on
\nand tackle security and defense issues.<\/p>\n
The Golkar Party faction maintained that these two
\ninstitutions have, and would continue to have, a pivotal role in
\nmaintaining stability in the country.<\/p>\n
\"The existence of the military and the police is not a matter
\nof like or dislike. The two institutions with their guns are
\nneeded to maintain the security and handle the country's
\ndefense,\" Golkar deputy chairman Slamet Effendy Yusuf said.<\/p>\n
Demonstrations have hit the Assembly in the past few days, as
\nit is almost certain to pass a decree that ensures the TNI\/Police
\nfaction's presence in the body till at least 2009.<\/p>\n
Demonstrators have in particular accused the two largest
\nfactions in the Assembly of betraying the reform movement by
\naccepting a political compromise.<\/p>\n
PDI Perjuangan faction members said the decision was the best
\nalternative for the time being.<\/p>\n
\"Our faction had only two alternatives: To maintain the
\nmilitary's presence at the Assembly for the time being or to
\nallow the military to use its voting rights in a general election
\nand allow it to set up its own party,\" PDI Perjuangan faction
\nmember Permadi explained.<\/p>\n
\"We took the first alternative with the proviso that its
\npresence at the Assembly was limited till 2009,\" Permadi said at
\na media conference called to defend the faction's stance.<\/p>\n
He added the nation would face a serious problem if it opted
\nfor the second alternative.<\/p>\n
Permadi refuted allegations that by allowing a TNI\/Police
\npresence in the Assembly, the faction had betrayed the reform
\nmovement.<\/p>\n
He said that the final objective would be to phase out the
\nmilitary's dual function but that it could not be done all at
\nonce.<\/p>\n
He said his faction's position was consistent with the 1998
\nAssembly decree on the military's gradual exit from politics.<\/p>\n
\"No more servicemen will be recruited into the administration
\nand Cabinet. The military and police will no longer have
\nrepresentatives at the House, provincial and regency councils as
\nof 2004 and at the Assembly after 2009,\" he said.<\/p>\n
Permadi acknowledged that much of the concern over the
\nmilitary's dual function was due to its implementation during the
\nNew Order era.<\/p>\n
\"(But) We don't want to take the risk of re-entering a
\nmilitary era where civilians are powerless. We do not want any
\nmilitary officials to say that servicemen are Golkar cadres,\" he
\nsaid, referring to a past statement made by Gen. (ret.) R.
\nHartono, a former Army chief.<\/p>\n
Permadi also hailed the Assembly's decision to formalize the
\nseparation between the police and the military, saying the two
\ninstitutions' next chiefs would be appointed after consultations
\nwith the House.<\/p>\n
Asked about the political compromise to ink the police and
\nmilitary presence in the Assembly in the amended constitution,
\nPermadi said it would only prevail during the transitional era
\nand was in line with the Assembly's decision to limit their
\npresence at the Assembly until 2009.<\/p>\n
\"The transitional ruling will no longer be effective as of
\n2009,\" he said.(rms)<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/pdi-p-golkar-dismiss-antimilitary-protests-1447893297",
"image": ""
},
"sponsor": "Okusi Associates",
"sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com"
}