Gen. Wiranto says military internal reform going on

JAKARTA (JP): The Indonesian Military (TNI) is phasing out its dual function while gradually intensifying its main role in defense and security, says Minister of Defense and Security/TNI Commander Gen. Wiranto.

Speaking before about 500 participants of a congress of the Indonesian Youth Movement for Reform (GPRI) here on Monday, the minister promised that the military would no longer be involved in practical politics or the bureaucracy.

"The phasing out of the dual function is an integral part of the military's internal reform," he said, adding that changes have also been made in the doctrine, education and training program of the military.

With the promised changes, military officers will no longer be given civilian positions in the bureaucracy, while its faction in the House of Representatives will also be phased out.

"The Indonesian Military headquarters now no longer has a sociopolitical affairs department, it has been replaced by the territorial affairs department," he said.

In addition, "active servicemen occupying jobs in the administration and bureaucracy have been asked to choose to either stay in their current positions and retire from military service, or leave the bureaucracy," he said.

A majority of 3,000 military officers assigned to various posts in the bureaucracy have chosen to leave their military jobs, while the number of military representatives in the House has been reduced from 100 to 75 in 1997 and to 38 in 1999, he said.

He noted the separation of the National Police from the Indonesian Military as of April 1 was also part of the military reform.

He said TNI was repositioning itself and redefining its function in response to challenges facing the military now and in the future.

"We have made the changes because the people want us to," he said.

He admitted the changes were launched following revelations that the military's political role was often "distorted" in the past.

Wiranto insisted with its new paradigm, the Indonesian Military would maintain its neutrality within society, and maintain security and enforce the law impartially.

"TNI will no longer favor the ruling Golkar Party and it will maintain the same distance from all groups in society, including political parties contending the June 7 general election," he said. (rms)