Future TNI reshuffles 'must be okayed by House'
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)