Where does TNI stand?<\/p>\n
In today's changing Indonesian society, the military (TNI)
\noften appears to be standing between two worlds. Many people
\nstill oppose the military's dual function in which it is given
\nunwarranted power with its unelected seats in the House of
\nRepresentatives. In the future People's Consultative Assembly
\n(MPR), the country's highest constitutional body, it will be
\nallocated 38 seats.<\/p>\n
On the other hand, in crucial circumstances like the MPR's
\nSpecial Session, scheduled for November and during which a
\npresident will be elected, military votes will have both decisive
\nand controversial meanings because facing off will be incumbent
\nPresident B. J. Habibie of the Golkar Party and his challenger,
\nMegawati Soekarnoputri, chairwoman of the triumphant Indonesian
\nDemocratic Party of Struggle (PDI Perjuangan).<\/p>\n
Although the exact power garnered by each candidate will not
\nbe known before the final results of the June 7 general election
\nare announced later this week, some acceptable calculations
\nindicate that neither candidate will be strong enough to fight
\nalone. They will need support from other factions in the MPR.<\/p>\n
Besides two other major political parties, members of the MPR
\nwill include 135 regional representatives, 65 representatives of
\nprofessional groups, the military faction and, last but not
\nleast, the Indonesian Mandate Party (PAN), the smallest among the
\nfive leading political factions. Although it is predicted that
\nPAN will have only about 40 seats -- like the military -- its
\nrole in the absence of an absolute majority will also be crucial.
\nThis is not to mention the possibility of desertions by many
\nfaction members who have personal views of certain candidates.<\/p>\n
So, the show promises to be highly controversial -- especially
\nfor the military -- because Habibie is perceived by the people to
\nrepresent the ugliness of the fallen corrupt regime of president
\nSoeharto, while Megawati is a leader of a party which is emerging
\nas the biggest winner of a democratic poll.<\/p>\n
Some short-sighted generals might believe that voting for
\nHabibie will strengthen the military's position in facing the
\nnext century, but they need to reconsider this train of thought
\nbecause most people will consider the military's vote for Habibie
\nan utter humiliation of the country's first taste of democracy in
\ndecades and a blatant effort to preserve the status quo.<\/p>\n
Moreover, many people predict the reelection of Habibie will
\nprovoke student demonstrations and bloody protests by fanatic
\nfollowers of Megawati. If this happens, the military will only
\nfind itself in a poor position because it lacks the capability to
\nquench such a revolt.<\/p>\n
Many people may look at this dilemma as merely a matter of
\nvoting or not. Some political observers have called on the
\nmilitary to remain neutral in the presidential election -- a
\nstance it took during the general election -- because they
\nbelieve it would be beneficial for the future of the military
\nitself.<\/p>\n
But the problem is that inaction does not mean neutrality,
\nespecially in a serious crisis. Should the military remain
\nneutral in the case of the election leading to a deadlock, the
\nquestion is: will the military remain inactive if a deadlock
\nleads to the country having no president?<\/p>\n
Under such circumstances perhaps the military would decide to
\nback Megawati, which, judging by preliminary election results,
\nwould be in keeping with most people's aspirations and would be a
\nmove toward upholding democracy. Also, Megawati's party is, by
\nand large, closer to the military's concepts on many issues than
\nother political entities, especially its concept on political
\nreform which is not so assertive, if not orthodox.<\/p>\n
PDI Perjuangan has declared that it will oppose any efforts to
\namend the Constitution, will take Soeharto to court on corruption
\ncharges and will be tolerant of the military's dual function.<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/where-does-tni-stand-1447893297",
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"sponsor": "Okusi Associates",
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