Deal may see TNI retain MPR seats till 2009

Deal may see TNI retain MPR seats till 2009

The Jakarta Post, Jakarta

A two-year-old political deal between the Indonesian Military
(TNI) and legislators could mean the military retains its seats
in the People's Consultative Assembly (MPR) until 2009, possibly
ending efforts to remove the TNI from politics by 2004.

A legislator said on Wednesday that legislators had struck a
deal with the military to maintain TNI seats in the MPR, two
years before the recently proposed general election bill calling
for TNI's ouster by 2004.

But Jakob Tobing of the Indonesian Democratic Party of
Struggle (PDI Perjuangan) said the bill had no consensus.

"From the beginning there has been a consensus to give the TNI
seats in the MPR until 2009," Jakob told The Jakarta Post on
Wednesday.

Jakob chairs the MPR's Ad Hoc committee I, which is discussing
the fourth amendment of the 1945 Constitution.

The amendment of the Constitution is part of the 1998 reforms
movement and has entered its fourth round since 1999.

Last year the third amendment process required that by 2004
the MPR consist only of the House of Representatives and the
Regional Representatives Council -- all elected members.

Consequently the TNI will have to vacate its seats in both the
House and the MPR, unless the bill gets approved and military
members could vote and be elected in the 2004 general election.

It also means the TNI will have to revamp its tarnished image
within two years to stand a chance in the 2004 election. Many
have expressed doubt that the TNI could clean up its act
sufficiently enough to secure as many seats in the House as they
do now for free.

TNI's top brass have openly said they preferred to waive their
voting rights until after 2009. They said soldiers were not ready
to vote and join politics.

Newly appointed TNI chief Gen. Endriartono Sutarto reiterated
his predecessor's warning of voting rights wedging a political
divide and threatening the military's unity.

TNI support for the general election bill has proven to be
slim.

According to Jakob, the TNI secured a deal with legislators
eliminates the possibility of removing the TNI before 2009.

He said the consensus came as one package with the TNI waiving
its voting rights until 2009.

The two-year-old political consensus will undermine the bill's
chances. "What is being offered (in the bill) has no consensus,"
Jakob explained.

Rejection of the bill could mean legislators would have to
delay amendments to the Constitution.

Since the 1998 student reform movement, calls have intensified
for the military to quit politics and become professional.

The MPR decree No 7/2000 allowing for TNI's removal before
2009 came amid (then) president Abdurrahman Wahid's push to
reform the military.

Political analysts have said the president came on too strong
against the military, eventually costing him its support.

Backing from the House was minimal due in part to his lack of
cooperation with legislators.

Abdurrahman was forced out of office last year after months of
impeachment calls from legislators and waning support from the
military.

Critics have long urged the government to create an
independent commission to amend the 1945 Constitution on fears
legislators would put forward political interests over the reform
movement.