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)