Rudini says ABRI must not be represented at house<\/p>\n
JAKARTA (JP): The Armed Forces (ABRI) should no longer be
\nrepresented in the House of Representatives (DPR) and should
\ninstead play a new role in law enforcement, according to former
\nArmy chief Gen. (ret) Rudini.<\/p>\n
\"ABRI's presence in the legislative body should come to an end
\nbecause it is no longer in accordance with the present situation.
\nSeats in the DPR should be reserved for legislators elected
\nthrough general elections,\" he said in a discussion held at the
\nUniversity of Indonesia's Central Jakarta campus on Saturday.<\/p>\n
The discussion, organized by the Association of University of
\nIndonesia Alumini, was also attended by Lt. Gen. (ret) Kemal
\nIdris, who is chairman of the National Front group of government
\ncritics, former minister of environment Sarwono Kusumaatmadja,
\neconomist Sri Edi-Swasono, government critic Ali Sadikin and
\nconstitutional law expert Sri Sumantri.<\/p>\n
Known as dwi-fungsi or dual function, the Armed Forces'
\ndoctrine that has enabled it to play a leading role in both the
\nnation's security and political affairs has become the target of
\nincreasing protests. It has also been blamed for a number of
\nmilitary atrocities committed during former president Soeharto's
\n32-year New Order regime.<\/p>\n
ABRI has said that it is in the process of redefining and
\nrevitalizing its dual-function in defense and politics. Armed
\nForces Commander Gen. Wiranto, however, has clearly said no to
\nthose who demand a \"return to barracks\" for the military.<\/p>\n
Rudini said that \"if active members of ABRI want to have seats
\nin the House then they should exercise their political rights in
\nthe next general election. But that is impossible for servicemen
\nbecause they belong to ABRI.<\/p>\n
\"ABRI members should be allowed to be present in the House
\nonly after they have left (the forces) or reached their mandatory
\nretirement age,\" he added.<\/p>\n
Rudini, who is also chairman of the Institute of Strategic
\nStudies on Indonesia, said: \"Before and several years after
\n(Indonesian) independence (in 1945), ABRI played a dual function
\nin defense and politics, but its political role was not in the
\nform of parliamentary representation.\"<\/p>\n
The Armed Forces' decision to vacate the legislative body
\nseveral years after independence created a favorable climate for
\ncivilians to play a leading role in state affairs, he said.<\/p>\n
\"Such a move is (again) needed from the present Armed Forces,\"
\nhe added. The retired general said ABRI should instead
\nconcentrate on enforcing the law.<\/p>\n
ABRI personnel could be assigned to state institutions
\nresponsible for law enforcement such as the Supreme Court, high
\ncourts and the Attorney General's Office, he said.<\/p>\n
He also said that ABRI could be represented in the People's
\nConsultative Assembly (MPR) to allow it to participate in certain
\naspects of the policy making process.<\/p>\n
Sarwono shared Rudini's opinion. He added, however, that it is
\nthe MPR factions that must decide on whether there continues to
\nbe an Armed Forces' presence in the Assembly and in the regional
\nand provincial legislative councils.<\/p>\n
\"ABRI should give its seats in the DPR to those elected
\nthrough general elections. It would be better for ABRI to
\nconcentrate on improving its tarnished image and make efforts to
\nget closer to the people,\" he said. (rms)<\/p>",
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