A hidden agenda?

From the very beginning the whole thing smelled fishy. People's Consultative Assembly (MPR) Decree No. VII/2000 stipulated that members of the military and police have no voting rights and no right to contest in elections. It also decreed that both forces would remain neutral and stay out of politics. The MPR also agreed that the Indonesian Military (TNI) and National Police would maintain their seats in the House of Representatives (DPR) until 2004 and in the MPR until 2009.

But, suddenly, out of the blue, came the surprise. The draft of the Election Bill submitted by the Ministry of Home Affairs to the DPR for deliberation two weeks ago contains a stipulation that members of both the TNI and the police would have the right to vote and be elected. According to the draft, members of the TNI and National Police could be elected in the Regional Representative Council (DPD) provided they obtained a permit from their superior.

The DPD is a new institution. Currently, MPR members consist of House members, regional representatives and interest groups. Under the amended Constitution, MPR members would consist of House members plus the 120 elected DPD members representing 30 provinces. The new proposal, should it be accepted, would not only negate MPR Decree No. VII/2000, but would virtually reopen the door for the TNI to reenter politics after 2009.

No wonder the proposal has prompted a fierce public debate. Many people have called the proposal a setback in the journey toward democratization. Some have even alleged that the proposal came from an anti-reform group within the TNI and National Police who want to stay in politics.

Strangely, Prof. Ramlan Surbakti, who chaired the Election Bill Drafting Team, denied his team had ever drafted the provision allowing members of TNI and police the right to contest in an election. "We agree to give members of the TNI and National Police voting rights, as it is every citizen's right, but certainly not the right to be elected", he said.

The home affairs minister, Hari Sabarno, quickly denied that the controversial proposal came from his office. He claimed it has been discussed in an inter-departmental forum, which includes the Ministry of Justice and Human Rights and the TNI.

But, Minister of Justice and Human Rights Yusril Ihza Mahendra promptly stated that his ministry was not involved in the discussion. And to add more confusion to the already chaotic situation, last week the TNI issued an official statement that prior to the submitting of the draft they were never consulted in the drafting stage. Former ABRI Chief Gen. Widodo went even further by stating: "Who could have a hidden agenda?"

Controversy aside, the whole episode has thrown light on the fact that there may indeed be diehards who want the TNI to stay in politics, or at least maintain its influence in the country, and who are willing to use every channel or vehicle to reach their goal. In the MPR session in 2000, they succeeded in placing pressure on political parties to reach a "consensus" that allowed the TNI and National Police to maintain their seats in the MPR to 2009, instead of 2004 as agreed before.

One may understandably believe that after 30 years in power, the TNI is not easily willing to relinquish its political clout for certain reasons, whether it be down to its mentality or to safeguard its business interests. But to be fair, one can also reason that the motive behind the move is TNI's longtime distrust of civilian rule, owing to the chaotic parliamentary democratic rule in the 1950s and what has happened in the last four years since Soeharto's downfall.

But -- vox populi vox dei. The people have decided that the TNI and National Police will have to disengage themselves from politics and start the re-civilization process. The TNI and police will be, rightfully, professionals whose duty is to maintain peace and order and to defend the country from external threat.

It is interesting that there are indeed elements within the Army, one can call them the reformists, who from the very beginning resisted attempts to draw the military back into politics. The firm statement issued last week by newly appointed Gen. Ryamizard Ryacudu, Army Chief of Staff, that, "the Army will refuse the right to vote and the right to be elected", citing it would jeopardize efforts to improve soldiers' professionalism, is a plain example.

From this perspective, one can also understand why newly appointed TNI Chief Gen. Endriartono Sutarto's statement last Wednesday sounded like a compromise. "The TNI and police will temporarily waive their voting rights and right to contest in elections until the nation is properly prepared."

So, when will that be? According to Sutarto, it depends on when the nation can reach political maturity. "It could be in 2004, 2009, or 3004", he said.

The lesson from the whole episode is that the journey to democracy and civilian rule is full of hurdles. Thus, one can expect more skirmishes ahead.