Army will remain loyal to the government: Endriartono
Army will remain loyal to the government: Endriartono
JAKARTA (JP): Army Chief of Staff Gen. Endriartono Sutarto
said on Friday that the Army would remain loyal to the government
and not let anybody topple the national leadership by
unconstitutional means.
"The nation's interests are paramount. We should never think
of short-term interests, but rather be in for the long-term.
"Therefore, the national leadership succession should be based
on long-term interests," Endriartono told reporters after
performing Friday prayers at Army headquarters.
Rumors have been rife over the past week that Endriartono,
backed by the Army's top brass, would take over the presidency by
force.
He dismissed the rumors, saying that he could never
countenance any unconstitutional change in the national
leadership.
The Army chief said that the nations's leaders had been given
specific terms of office and could not be replaced just on a
whim.
"We have a Constitution. So, let's uphold it.
"If the appointment or the replacement of the national
leadership is attempted through unconstitutional means, the Army
will not tolerate it," Endriartono said, while warning all
elements of the nation to eschew such unconstitutional means of
changing the national leadership.
"We are not going to change our national leader every year
based on trivial grounds.
"If these trivial issues lead to an unconstitutional change in
the state leadership, the Army will not sit on the sidelines...
we are going to face them," Endriartono said.
The four-star general suggested that if a change of leadership
were desired, then the Indonesian people should bring this about
in the constitutional way.
He also said that the Army would not tolerate any policies
which would only worsen the plight of the nation.
The Indonesian Military (TNI)/National Police faction has
supported the findings of the House of Representatives (DPR)
special committee investigation into President Abdurrahman
Wahid's alleged involvement in two financial scandals.
The House then issued a memorandum of censure against the
President, and presented the committee's findings to the National
Police and the Attorney General's Office.
In response to a question asking whether the memorandum could
lead to the toppling of the President, Endriartono said: "As long
as it is the will of the people and is constitutional, I will
close my eyes and ears...," he said, while adding that it would
have nothing to do with the Army if the President was toppled or
continued in office until 2004. (02)