ABRI cannot stay neutral, Syarwan says

ABRI cannot stay neutral, Syarwan says

JAKARTA (JP): As a social and political force, the Armed
Forces (ABRI) cannot be neutral. It has to choose a partner with
whom it can reach its ideals, a high ranking military official
said yesterday.

"We need to have a partner in order to strive to achieve our
goals," said Maj. Gen. Syarwan Hamid, the assistant to ABRI chief
of social and political affairs.

ABRI's proximity with Golkar, the ruling political
organization, does not mean that it is standing in opposition to
the other two political parties, he told the discussion on "ABRI
and Golkar" held by the Forum Dialog Wartawan Politik, a loose
association of political journalists here.

Syarwan did not rule out the possibility that ABRI might
someday form closer alliances with the other two political
organizations. "In the future, it is possible that ABRI can have
proximity with the political parties," he said.

He also said that there's no need for the public to read too
deep into the question of ABRI's neutrality or its political
affiliations.

He pointed out that ABRI, too, has supported the two minority
political parties -- the Moslem-based United Development Party
(PPP) and the Indonesian Democratic Party (PDI).

Whether and when ABRI can establish as close a bond with PPP
or PDI, as it has with Golkar, is long standing question and one
that has often resurfaced. Syarwan said the topic is "seasonal"
and usually emerges as general elections near.

However, he added that ABRI's proximity with Golkar or its
distance from other political entities is not a question of
"ideology".

Similarity

"Speaking about similarity of ideology (between ABRI and the
political groups), theoretically, it was achieved a long time
ago," he said. All mass organizations here have to establish the
state ideology Pancasila as their foundation.

"ABRI's closeness with Golkar does not mean it's an enemy of
the others," he said. "Historical facts are the reason behind
ABRI's decision to form a partnership with Golkar."

"Let's not argue about it," he urged.

Syarwan admitted that there are adverse effects to an alliance
with Golkar, which, he said, can be addressed in the form of
social control.

Golkar chairman Harmoko said several months ago that the
ruling political group has not become powerful as a result of
ABRI support.

This statement sparked lengthy controversies, especially
regarding ABRI's neutrality and the demand that it keep the same
distance from Golkar as it does with the two minority parties.

Golkar was established in 1964 with the support of the Army.

During the New Order era of President Soeharto, Golkar has
enjoyed large majorities in each election, winning at least two-
thirds of the votes.

Until Harmoko, who is also Minister of Information, became
Golkar chairman in October 1993, previous chairmen had all been
retired military generals.

In the discussion, Syarwan also explored the question of
stability and democratization. He pointed out that political
stability rests on "the dominant power".

"But we want to see that whoever wins (elections), wins
fairly."

He also said that there's no need to separate political
stability and the quest for democracy. "There are always trade-
offs between stability and democratization," he said. "What we
need is a development of stability which still provides corridor
for democracy and a democratization process which does not
disrupt stability." (swe)