Back into politics?

Back into politics?

The Indonesian Military (TNI) is once again issuing strong
statements. This time it is aimed at those who intend to bring
down the lawful government, for instance by calling a special
session of the People's Consultative Assembly (MPR). Such a
statement was made recently by the Army's chief of staff Gen.
Tyasno Sudarto.

Speculation has been rife in recent days that (MPR Speaker)
Amien Rais and (House of Representatives Speaker) Akbar Tanjung
are quietly working toward turning the upcoming regular session
of the MPR into a special session for the purpose of impeaching
President Abdurrahman Wahid. Both Amien and Akbar have denied
such plans, though both remain critical of Abdurrahman -- which
is entirely acceptable in a democracy.

The most interesting aspect in the polemic, however, is TNI's
going back to issuing political statements. Statements such as
that (plotting) a special session of the MPR is unconstitutional
and TNI's determination to oppose any effort to bring down the
legitimate government are clearly strongly politically charged.

Such statements would obviously lead people to ask whether TNI
at present is truly neutral or whether it has gone back to
serving as a prop for those in power.

-- Republika, Jakarta