Generals close ranks on links with Golkar
Generals close ranks on links with Golkar
JAKARTA (JP): Armed Forces (ABRI) Chief Gen. Feisal Tanjung joined the chorus of generals defending the controversial assertion that all military members are by definition "cadres" of Golkar, the ruling political organization.
The statement, made by Army Chief of Staff Gen. Hartono on Wednesday, has sparked a debate about the role played by the military in politics as Indonesia gears up for elections next year.
While many political scholars said Hartono's assertion was a mere reiteration of what is already being practiced, politicians of the Indonesian Democratic Party (PDI) said the remarks defied ABRI's own claim to neutrality in general elections.
"ABRI's Big Family is part of Golkar," Feisal told reporters when asked to comment on the controversy. The Big Family is the phrase used to describe soldiers, their spouses and children.
"Military officers who are involved in developing Golkar are automatically cadres," he said in his office after meeting 24 generals who reported for duty after receiving rank promotions.
Feisal also sits on Golkar's board of patrons which is chaired by President Soeharto.
He appealed for an end to the polemic, saying that his office would soon make a statement to clarify the issue.
Feisal said Hartono's remarks should be seen in their proper context. They were made during a get-together with Golkar's cadres and the statement was not intended for outsiders, he said.
On Thursday, Hartono made yet another controversial statement when he said that anyone who doubted ABRI's link with Golkar should be closely watched.
Hartono yesterday defended his statement, saying that the choice of hooking up with Golkar is in the interest of the nation.
He pointed out that the 1984 law on the Armed Forces states that the military, as a political force, must fight alongside other political forces to build the nation.
He said however that as a defense and security force, ABRI will maintain its neutrality in the election.
Other senior military officers have pointed out that ABRI has a historical and emotional link with Golkar. It was the Army that helped give birth to the political grouping in 1964.
Golkar, which stands for functional group, was born out of a coalition of non-partisan organizations and professional associations mobilized by the Army in 1964 to counter the growing political influence of the Indonesian Communist Party.
After Soeharto, then a young army general, took power in 1966, Golkar became the dominant political organization, winning every election with overwhelming majorities, in 1971, 1977, 1982, 1987 and 1992.
The Armed Forces has continued to give strong patronage to Golkar, and most top Golkar appointments in the central and regional boards are filled with retired servicemen.
Harmoko, the current Golkar chairman, is the first civilian appointed to the group's number one slot.
Former defense minister Abdul Harris Nasution, who in the 1950s coined the phrase "dual function" to describe the military's two roles in defense and politics, said Hartono must be confident of his legal ground to make such an assertion, Antara reported.
Nasution declined to make any further comment.
Soerjadi, deputy House Speaker and a senior PDI politician, called for a House hearing with Gen. Feisal for an explanation on the issue. "Hartono's statement is too shocking for the PDI, and probably the PPP too," he said, referring to the other minority party, the United Development Party.
The statement implies that ABRI belongs to Golkar, yet all along the nation had been led to believe that ABRI belongs to everyone, and every group in society.
"I suggest that PPP and PDI top executives get first hand information on what the Armed Forces leaders are thinking," he said. (rms/pan)
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