Dual function of the Armed Forces

Dual function of the Armed Forces

As Indonesians intensify their demands for total reform in all
areas in the wake of Soeharto's resignation, pure democracy based
on Pancasila and the Constitution of 1945 must be implemented.
This will involve limiting the role of the Armed Forces in order
that nobody gets the impression that the country is ruled in an
authoritarian or totalitarian manner by the power holder.

During the transitional period, which may last until 2003, the
dual function of the Armed Forces in Indonesia is still needed
because it is expected to play a role in establishing stability
in the community and also ensure that the public maintain their
dynamism for the sake of democracy.

The leadership of the Armed Forces must introduce a fresh way
of thinking and a new operational method, namely moving from
taking preventive and repressive measures against the people and
develop a craving for reform and the courage to fight against the
Soeharto regime by allowing opportunities for reform to be
carried out constitutionally. It is in fact the duty of the Armed
Forces to safeguard decisions made by the government and by the
House of People's Representatives/People's Consultative Assembly
(DPR/MPR) in the context of implementing reforms in all areas.

However, it is now the right time for the very broad function
of the Armed Forces to be reduced. The following may serve as
examples of possible reductions:

1. The Armed Forces must take a neutral stance and be impartial
toward any groups and political parties existing at present and
in the coming election. It must be able to take a middle position
and protect everyone.

The Armed Forces must stop fostering mass organizations
usually believed to be attached to it. These organizations must
be independent from the Armed Forces and must no longer get
political and logistic support from the Armed Forces.

The Armed Forces need no longer mobilize forces in the
community. Of course, it is always possible, for example, for
wives of members of the Armed Forces and retired Armed Forces
members to set up their own associations but only as long as
these are established for welfare purposes.

2. The Armed Forces must reduce the number of its members
assuming civilian positions, such as governors, district heads,
mayors, directors general and so forth. These positions must be
returned to civilians; Armed Forces members should take up
civilian posts only if such posts are considered vulnerable if
left to civilians or if there are no civilians capable of
assuming such posts.

Armed Forces members must stop having such an arrogant
attitude and doing what they please simply because they have the
power to do so. They must now really take the people's interests
into account.

During the Soeharto regime examples abounded of how certain
members of the Armed Forces acted in ways not befitting them but
got away unpunished. Of course Minister of Home Affairs Lt. Gen.
Syarwan Hamid and Armed Forces Commander Gen. Wiranto must now
rid the Armed Forces of such members.

3. The Armed Forces must not take part in the coming general
election to ensure their neutrality. The number of Armed Forces
members in the DPR must be reduced to only a maximum of 10
percent of the total number of the DPR members, considering that
the Armed Forces serves only to create stability and social
dynamism.

4. Finally, the leadership of the Armed Forces must have the
courage to take firm action against certain elements of their
subordinates who were indisciplined and violated laws and human
rights during the Soeharto regime.

SUHARSONO HADIKUSUMO

Jakarta