Army chief slammed over poll statement

Urip Hudiono, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta

The Indonesian Legal Aid Foundation (YLBHI) has slammed the Army chief's statement that he would deploy troops if the 2004 elections turn into bloody chaos, saying such a remark was politically unethical and could pose a serious threat to the nation's newly born democracy.

The statement clearly showed that the military wants to make a political comeback in the near future, the non-governmental organization said on Wednesday.

"The statement is clearly out of place. Issues regarding the political situation and national security are the authority of the President and related ministers, not of operational military officers such as the army chief," said YLBHI director Munarman.

During the Army's anniversary celebrations on Monday, Army chief-of-staff Gen. Ryamizard Ryacudu said he would mobilize troops should next year's elections spark violence and threaten national unity.

The military would also react to any foreign attempts to disrupt the nation's unity and weaken the military, he added.

The YLBHI said Ryacudu's statement was part of an attempt to intimidate the political parties contesting the 2004 general election.

"With the statement made during the Army's full-show-of-force, political parties would likely think twice before saying their candidates were against the military," Munarman said.

In the anniversary, the Army showed-off its weapons and personnel, including 8,000 personnel from its 10 newly established battalions under the Raider Unit.

Munarman urged all elements of the nation, particularly the military itself, to remember and to stay committed to the previously reached consensus -- that the military must quit its socio-political role, and instead focus on its security function.

Nor should the people be trapped by any of the military's stratagems in the upcoming elections, by voting for candidates who are committed to reform and democracy and have the courage to keep the military out of politics, he added.

Commenting on Ryacudu's statement that there were attempts by other countries to disturb the country's sovereignty and weaken the military, Munarman said that this was the Army's attempt to get public support to build up its forces.

"If there was indeed a need to strengthen the military for the sake of the nation's sovereignty, then it should be the Navy and the Air Force that are strengthened, not the Army," he argued.