ABRI to remain neutral in the 1997 general elections: Soesilo
ABRI to remain neutral in the 1997 general elections: Soesilo
JAKARTA (JP): Coordinating Minister for Political Affairs and
Security Soesilo Soedarman said yesterday that the Armed Forces
(ABRI) would remain impartial in the 1997 general elections.
Supporting an earlier statement made by Minister of Defense
and Security Gen.(ret.) Edi Sudrajat about the military's
neutrality, Soesilo said the public shouldn't worry about ABRI's
stance as it belongs to all people.
"ABRI comes from the people, was raised by the people and will
serve the people," he said.
He said ABRI members would stay committed to the soldiers'
oath and the mandate from the late Armed Forces Supreme Commander
Gen. Soedirman that ABRI should be devoted to the people.
Soesilo's statement was the latest to be made by senior
officials concerning the controversy that arose following Army
Chief Gen. Hartono's earlier declaration that ABRI members are
also cadres of the ruling Golkar organization.
On Monday, Edi told ABRI to remain impartial and to work with
other sociopolitical forces, not just Golkar, to help develop the
nation.
Hartono reportedly said that ABRI, which helped found Golkar
in 1964, had a political interest in supporting Golkar to
safeguard the 1945 Constitution and state ideology Pancasila.
Made during a Golkar gathering in Central Java earlier this
month, the statement provoked protest from leaders of the
minority United Development Party and Indonesian Democratic
Party.
The statement has also prompted seemingly contradictory
comments from senior officials. ABRI Chief of Social and
Political Affairs Lt. Gen. Syarwan Hamid said Hartono made the
statement in a personal capacity, while Armed Forces Commander
said servicemen may become cadres of Golkar once they retire.
Feisal also said ABRI would issue an official statement on the
controversy. The military leaders are currently holding a
leadership meeting at ABRI headquarters in Cilangkap, East
Jakarta.
Another senior official has denied speculations that the
differences of opinion signified a growing conflict among
military leaders.
Head of the State Intelligence Coordinating Body (BAKIN) Lt.
Gen. (ret) M. Sudibyo said that what's really taking place is
talks among the leaders, as part of the forces' commitment to
improvement. (imn)