Quit practical politics<\/p>\n
The Jakarta Post of Oct. 6 reported the appeal of the
\nPresident to the Indonesian Military (TNI) to quit practical
\npolitics, abandon its social and political role, and focus only
\non its professional role as the country's instrument of defense.
\nTo be honest, I am rather surprised that our President made this
\nappeal now while in fact the TNI has already left practical
\npolitics.<\/p>\n
The dual function of the TNI gives the military the power that
\nthe civilians want so dearly. But it should be clearly understood
\nthat the dual function is based on law and is 100 percent legal.<\/p>\n
But, again, to be honest, I still doubt whether the
\npoliticians really want the military to completely withdraw from
\npractical politics at present, realizing that civilians are still
\nweak and the fighting among them for political hegemony is still
\nfierce, which could cause the country to fall into a shambles.<\/p>\n
Proof that civilians feel that they are not yet ready to
\ntotally get rid of the TNI is obvious by, among other things, the
\nappointment of TNI officers in the former Cabinet of president
\nAbdurrahman Wahid. Some strategic positions then given to the
\nmilitary were coordinating minister for political and security
\naffairs, minister of home affairs, minister of communication and
\ntransportation, minister of trade and industry.<\/p>\n
Why did the former president do this, while the cry of anti-
\nTNI was very strong?<\/p>\n
Given all the aforementioned facts I would like to appeal to
\nall political leaders to trust the loyalty of the Indonesian
\nMilitary to this beloved country and government and stop
\nbickering among yourselves and concentrate on finding the best
\nsolution to various problems facing the nation.<\/p>\n
SOEGIH ARTO<\/p>\n
Jakarta<\/p>", "url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/quit-practical-politics-1447893297", "image": "" }, "sponsor": "Okusi Associates", "sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com" }