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)