Gen. Wiranto says military internal reform going on

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sociopolitical affairs department, it has been replaced by the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)