ABRI neutrality in elections queried

ABRI neutrality in elections queried

SEMARANG, Central Java (JP): Political scientists and other
observers are questioning whether the Armed Forces (ABRI) can
maintain neutrality in the coming elections, given their
traditional patronage of the ruling Golkar political grouping.

Purwoko, a political scientist at Diponegoro University in
Semarang, said he doubted that ABRI could become impartial, in
spite of the general public's wish that it not take sides.

"I am still doubtful whether ABRI can become neutral for the
1997 general elections," Purwoko told the Jakarta Post yesterday,
adding that, to date, the military had always been the main force
behind Golkar's success in all of the past five elections.

Purwoko's comments were made in response to recent remarks by
Golkar Chairman Harmoko, who said the ruling political grouping
had not become powerful as a result of support from ABRI.

"Everyone knows and feels that Golkar would never have become
big without the support of ABRI," said the lecturer in government
studies.

Golkar was established in 1964. During the New Order era of
President Soeharto, Golkar has enjoyed large majorities in each
election, always 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.

Kahar Badjuri, dean of Diponegoro University's School of
Social and Political Sciences, said yesterday that, despite
Harmoko's comments, it was a well-known fact that Golkar was
strongly backed by the Armed Forces.

"Everyone knows that Golkar has now become big because of the
role and involvement of ABRI," Kahar said.

Kahar said he believed Harmoko's statement was made in an
attempt to boost the confidence and self-esteem of Golkar
members. However, he said that the remarks should not have been
made in public, thereby causing various political
interpretations.

"Harmoko said it just to enhance Golkar's confidence that,
under his leadership, Golkar could be even bigger and win the
next election," he said.

Reduced role

In a related development, prominent human rights campaigner
Adnan Buyung Nasution called for a reduction in the role of the
Armed Forces in the political system.

Adnan, who is the founder of the Indonesian Legal Aid
Foundation, said in Jakarta yesterday that the political changes
sweeping the country had reached a stage at which a reduced role
for the military was called for.

"ABRI, as an institution, also has to slowly adjust itself to
the evolving life of the state," he said.

The "dual function" principle adhered to by ABRI mandates that
it not only act as the security force, but also has a say in the
social and political development of the country.

Because of this unique role, military personnel do not vote in
elections but are allotted a fifth the seats in the House of
Representatives.

Adnan said that ABRI should be allowed to take part in the
social and political development of the country, but was critical
of what he said was too great an involvement by the military in
the affairs of the state.

"Over-involvement in state matters causes things like the
Marsinah incident," Adnan said, referring to the suspected
involvement of military personnel in the murder of labor activist
Marsinah.

He contended that the participation of ABRI in social and
political affairs should be reduced now that the country was in a
"normal" situation.

"Look at the other developing countries. Look at Thailand or
South Korea," he said, citing what he called "normal
participation" of the military in state matters. "Such a
situation will not be reached overnight, but steps should be
taken in that direction."

"I think our scholarly generals should also observe (the roles
of) their colleagues in other countries," said the outspoken
human rights lawyer.

"That is not to say that we should just imitate the practices
of other countries or turn them into a yardstick (for
Indonesia)," he said.

"Rather, they should become guidelines for ABRI in
deliberating...as to what role it should play in the light of the
democratization trend," he said.

Separately, retired Gen. Soemitro has also called on ABRI to
return to its original function, become less of a protagonist in
politics and ease off its support for one political faction.
(har/mds)