University recommends Supreme Advisory Board dissolution<\/p>\n
YOGYAKARTA (JP): Gadjah Mada University has recommended the
\ndissolution of the Supreme Advisory Board on the grounds that it
\noverlapped with other state agencies.<\/p>\n
A proposal released on Saturday by the university's team
\ncreated to draw up political recommendations said the Supreme
\nAdvisory Board's function was unclear.<\/p>\n
\"To clarify power management in the country, Gadjah Mada
\nUniversity suggests the dissolution of the Supreme Advisory
\nBoard,\" said Riswandha Imawan, a politics professor and team
\nmember. The suggestion is part of Gadjah Mada University's (UGM)
\nsuggestions in a handbook titled Political Democratization. It
\nwas presented to journalists by Ichlasul Amal, the university's
\nrector.<\/p>\n
Also attending the media conference were 11 lecturers from the
\nuniversity's School of Social and Political Sciences who make up
\nthe team. In addition to Riswandha, they include Mohtar Mas'oed,
\nWarsito Utomo, and Samsu Rizal Panggabean.<\/p>\n
UGM also cited human rights violations which they said were
\ncommitted by the military due to a lack of civilian control over
\nthe military and the intelligence agencies.<\/p>\n
Ichlasul cited the recently revealed abuses such as the
\nabductions and tortures in various places, including Aceh, North
\nSumatra as examples. \"A requirement of reform toward democracy is
\nto restrain the military's role in politics,\" Ichlasul said.<\/p>\n
The military, he added, should return to its essential role of
\ndefending the nation. Mohtar added that the numerous reports of
\nstolen fish and smuggling proved that national defense mechanisms
\nwere still weak.<\/p>\n
Mohtar said the military should be strong to enable it to
\ndefend the country's natural resources. \"But not to take care of
\nfarmers, electricity, taxes and politics.\"<\/p>\n
\"This is the result of the improper role of the military. Some
\nof the personnel are used for the authorities' interests,\" he
\nadded.<\/p>\n
Riswandha also noted that the realignment of the military's
\nrole to defend the country without entering social and political
\nlife would support the creation of a civil society and democracy.<\/p>\n
He said the military's role had made democracy \"stagnant\"
\nbecause the whole nation was under its control. \"Civilians
\nhaven't had a chance to learn about democracy.\"<\/p>\n
In the 47-page publication, UGM also urged the bolstering of
\nthe Supreme Audit Agency's provincial branches, claiming that at
\npresent they could not work effectively. Besides having too few
\npersonnel, the Agency \"does not have any autonomy\", the report
\nsaid. (44\/01)<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/university-recommends-supreme-advisory-board-dissolution-1447893297",
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"sponsor": "Okusi Associates",
"sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com"
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