Gen. Wiranto's neutrality

It is very regrettable that our political party leaders have failed to take the necessary actions to reduce the tensions at the lower levels of society. We fear that these tensions could influence proceedings inside the People's Consultative Assembly (MPR) conference halls and thereby depreciate democracy's values. The end result of such a drift would mean a depreciation of the stature of the office of the presidency as well.

It is possible that our party leaders are ignoring their supporters rambunctious behavior by design, or that they lack the power to reign them in. If this is true, a dangerous situation prevails. In such a condition it would be sensible for people to put their hopes on the Armed Forces (TNI), given that only the TNI has the means to overcome such trouble.

Seen in the context of ensuring the necessary freedom of movement, General Wiranto's stated preference to stay out of all existing party rivalries related to the presidential election makes sense.

-- Bisnis Indonesia, Jakarta