Pro-democracy activists warn of military comeback<\/p>\n
JAKARTA (JP): Pro-democracy activists, alarmed of strong signs
\nof a reappearance of the military within politics, warned the
\nIndonesian Military (TNI) on Monday not to enter the political
\ncontest, saying that this would be the biggest contribution it
\ncould make to democracy.<\/p>\n
\"TNI should restrain itself, not side with or support any
\npolitical power and stay loyal to the civil government,\" Hendardi
\nof the Indonesian Legal Aid and Human Rights Association (PBHI)
\nread from the activists' Democratic Declaration in a media
\nconference.<\/p>\n
\"TNI's comeback cannot provide an optimum solution to the
\ncurrent situation ... their involvement during past regimes hurt
\nfreedom, human rights and democracy.<\/p>\n
\"We reject any effort by the military to become involved in
\npolitics and ask people to stop considering them as the engine,
\nstabilizer and catalyst in politics and democracy,\" Hendardi
\nstated.<\/p>\n
Munir from the Foundation of the Indonesian Legal Aid
\nInstitute (YLBHI) said recent media reports indicated that the
\nTNI had identified themselves as an autonomous political power
\nand had campaigned as a strategic actor in creating a united and
\npeaceful country.<\/p>\n
\"The political elite have opened the door for military
\ninvolvement by seeking the force's support. Now we are asking for
\nthe military's commitment to their pledge, given at the beginning
\nof the new government, that they will no longer participate in
\npolitics,\" he said.<\/p>\n
Lawyer Todung Mulya Lubis also deplored the situation, saying
\nit was a setback to the democratic process.<\/p>\n
\"Reform is irreversible, we cannot go back to the past. It's
\nwrong to allow the military back into the game and seize power,
\nwhen politics has become a bargaining chip used by the military
\nto aid their participation in the game. We should not let it
\nhappen, whatever the cost,\" he said.<\/p>\n
Recently, senior military officers declared their political
\nstance in rejecting President Abdurrahman Wahid's plans to
\ndeclare a state of emergency and dissolve the legislature, which
\nthreatens to instigate proceedings that could lead to his
\nimpeachment.<\/p>\n
The activists also warned the media not to tempt the military
\nto be more active in voicing their political stance, arguing that
\nit would have a boomerang effect because the military could later
\nobtain the political power to close the media down.<\/p>\n
Attending the press conference were several signatories to the
\ndeclaration, including female activists Karlina Leksono and Smita
\nNotosusanto, Binny Buchori of the International non-governmental
\norganization (NGO) Forum for Indonesian Development, human rights
\nactivists Asmara Nababan, Ifdhal Kasim, Munarman and M.M. Billah,
\nTeten Masduki of Indonesian Corruption Watch and political
\nobserver Arbi Sanit. (bby)<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/pro-democracy-activists-warn-of-military-comeback-1447893297",
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"sponsor": "Okusi Associates",
"sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com"
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