Civilian or military leaders?

Frankly, since the outset of the reform period around 1998, the nation's civilian presidents have not utilized the golden opportunity to realize the public's aspirations, although they represent the country's civil society.

The question is whether in this reform era, voters in the July 5 or Sept. 20, 2004 presidential election will, for the third time, elect civilian figures. It is common knowledge that people have been very disappointed at the performance of civilian leaders.

Therefore, it is now likely that the office of president will be held by a retired serviceman. Australian political observer Greg Barton indicated recently that elements of the Indonesian Military (TNI) had the opportunity to seize the presidency.

Meanwhile, rumors are widespread that the next president will come from the TNI, along with a civilian vice president, against a background of different regional origins. It is also speculated that there may be all-civilian or all-military pairings.

The certain thing is that under a retired serviceman as president, the TNI and the National Police will not become marginalized because from the start of the reform period, they have returned to their professional and neutral stance, without any political involvement.

The same is true in the U.S., where Vietnam War veteran John Forbes Kerry has emerged from the Democratic Party convention without causing any military marginalization? He may benefit from his past military career to jack up his position. In Indonesia, ex-servicemen join the race through parties or interparty alliances in about the same way but on a different scale.

SUNGKOWO SOKAWERA, Bandung