ABRI asks Golkar to be independent in the future

ABRI asks Golkar to be independent in the future

JAKARTA (JP): The Armed Forces (ABRI) has suggested to its
political ally Golkar, currently wracked by internal dissention,
that it prepare to be more self-reliant in the future.

"A more independent Golkar should be sought in such an era of
reform," ABRI spokesman Brig. Gen. A. Wahab Mokodongan said
yesterday.

Speaking to reporters after accompanying Minister of Defense
and Security/Armed Forces Commander Gen. Wiranto on a visit to
the House of Representatives (DPR), Wahab hinted that it was time
for the Armed Forces to reduce its strong influence in Golkar.

A delegation of ABRI top brass, led by Wiranto, went to the
House yesterday to present the Armed Forces' concept for reform.

Among Wiranto's entourage were Army Chief Gen. Subagyo
Hadisiswoyo, Air Force Chief Marshal Sutria Tubagus, Police Chief
Gen. Dibyo Widodo, Armed Forces chief of Sociopolitical Affairs
Lt. Gen. Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono and Armed Forces chief of
General Affairs Lt. Gen. Fachrul Razi.

Golkar was established in October 1964 as an amalgamate of
seven organizations which included the Armed Forces, labor
organization SOKSI, cooperative movement Kosgoro and the
Musyawarah Kekeluargaan Gotong Royong (MKGR).

But since former president Soeharto's resignation, Golkar is
facing a serious threat of disintegration, especially after MKGR
broke ranks and announced itself as a separate political party
late last month.

Kosgoro is taking a wait-and-see approach to the latest
developments in the political situation but has indicated a
desire to also go it alone as a political party.

Wahab, however, declined to write off Golkar just yet.

"I think we (people) should wait until Golkar's extraordinary
congress is held," he said referring to a planned congress next
month.

"And we (ABRI) still haven't come up with a firm position as
yet, not until the new law on political parties is introduced,"
he added.

When asked what direction the Armed Forces would likely take,
Wahab said he could not say where the "greater family" would
channel its future political aspirations.

"Let us wait and see," the spokesman said.

Meanwhile, a seven-member team, led by the rector of the
state-run Institute for Public Administration (IIP) Ryaas Rasyid,
is currently working on drafts for three political laws,
including a law on political parties.

Ryaas indicated that Golkar would have to transform itself
into a political party if it still wished to exist.

The drafts are to be completed by the end of next month and to
be open to public scrutiny for necessary revision and improvement
next August. The new laws will be used as the basis next May's
general election.

Separately in Yogyakarta, political scientist Yahya Muhaimin
pointed out the need for an arrangement in civil-military
relations.

While stopping short of urging an end to the Armed Forces dual
function, Yahya stressed the need for its review.

"There needs to be a serious and intensive dialog between the
two sides so a true understanding can be reached," he said.

The Armed Forces asserts that it has both a security role and
a socio-political role.

Armed Forces personnel do not vote in elections, but they are
allotted 75 seats in the House. (imn/44)