Future TNI reshuffles 'must be okayed by House'

JAKARTA (JP): Despite the President's prerogatives, the appointment of chiefs of staff in the military should in the future gain approval from the House of Representatives, political figures and observers said on Saturday.

They said such endorsement was needed to ensure the loyalty of Indonesian Military (TNI) to the state and at the same time avoid the government's interference in TNI's internal affairs.

Speaking in a seminar on civilian rule held by the University of Indonesia, chairman of the Indonesian Youths Committee (KNPI) Adhyaksa warned that intervention in the promotions and rotations would discourage TNI's commitment to maintain its neutrality.

"In the past the military took sides with the president because of the latter's deep interference, including in the appointment of officers for strategic positions," he said.

He explained that in the past, the military took the president's side and even functioned as a tool of the government because all officials in the strategic positions were appointed by the president without any approval from the House.

"This is an error the military committed in the past, sparking fierce criticisms during the reform era," he said.

He also said it would be better if reorganization in other strategic positions in the military should gain the House's support.

"The military leaders should at least consult the House before conducting reappointments that involve lower positions," he said.

Another speaker at the seminar, Indria Samego, a military observer from the Indonesian Institute of Sciences (LIPI), said the requirement for House endorsement of officials in the military's top positions was a must to ensure civilian supremacy over the military.

Indria, who writes Bisnis Militer (military business), said the president should gain the House's approval before appointing candidates nominated by the military.

"Let the military name its own candidates and the House approve them through a fit and proper test before being sworn in by the president.

"Through such a procedure, the people will be able to control the military and demand its accountability over all things having relations with their tasks," he said.

Lt. Gen. Agus Widjojo, chief of TNI's territorial affairs, concurred and said harmonious civilian-military relations should be promoted to develop the nation.

"The military should no longer be involved in practical politics and civilians should not interfere in the military's internal affairs. The two sides should realize their own function to achieve national interests," he said.

He said both the civilian and the military must abide by the law and democratic principles to avoid permanent conflicts between them.

"Conflicts will certainly surface and jeopardize the national unity if the military intervenes in civilian affairs or the civilians interfere in the military's internal affairs," he said.

He said both sides should respect the supremacy of law in order to cope with the chaotic situation and political instability.

"The chaotic situation has many things to do with the absence of legal certainty," he said.

Agus also urged the government to continue to empower the National Police, in terms of both quantity and quality, to restore order and security.

"The police should have an adequate number of personnel and necessary equipment to ensure law enforcement, security and order nationwide," he said.

Separately, Aberson Marle Sihaloho hailed the idea on the appointment of officials in the military's top positions to limit the president's prerogatives.

"The president can no longer replace TNI commanders and chiefs of Army, Navy and Air Force arbitrarily without the House's approval because the military is not subordinated to the government," he told The Jakarta Post by phone.

He said military high-ranking officers were appointed by the president in his/her capacity as head of state and military supreme commander. (rms)