Don't mess with elections, General Wiranto insists

JAKARTA (JP): Minister of Defense/Armed Forces Commander Gen. Wiranto said on Friday he would not tolerate any attempt to foil or disturb the June general election and presidential election later this year.

The general said the Armed Forces would take all necessary measures to ensure free, just and fair elections, because the success of the two events together was key to the nation's recovery.

"The success of the two national agendas is the only gateway for the nation to leave the current crisis and enter the 21st century," Wiranto said during his address at the opening of the 21st regular course of the Armed Forces (ABRI) School of Command in Bandung, West Java.

He also reiterated his previous statement that ABRI would remain neutral during the election process and accept the result of the elections whatever it was.

He added that ABRI would also remain neutral during the General Session of the People's Consultative Assembly (MPR) to elect a new president at the year's end.

Many of the new political parties have expressed fears that ABRI may use its clout to influence the elections to ensure the continuation of its dual function in politics and security and defense.

Students and antigovernment critics have repeatedly called on the Armed Forces to relinquish its political role and focus on security and defense tasks.

Active Armed Forces members do not vote. But ABRI is allotted a certain number of seats in the legislature.

The newly adopted political law stipulates that ABRI will get 38 seats in the House of Representatives, a reduction from the current 75 seats.

"ABRI will be neutral and keep the same distance with all election participants," Wiranto pledged as quoted by Antara. (prb)