Kostrad vows to side with the people

JAKARTA (JP): In a blatant show of force geared to demonstrate the corps allegiances, the Army's Strategic Reserves Command (Kostrad) chief Lt. Gen. Ryamizard Ryacudu told soldiers to remain "loyal to the people" and warned of punishment for "traitors" allying themselves to individuals or groups.

Speaking at an "Allegiance Ceremony" attended by 800 Kostrad soldiers at its headquarters in Central Jakarta on Sunday, Ryamizard told his troops that their loyalty was only to the country and "not to certain individuals or groups."

Without specifically referring to these individuals, he further pointed out that Kostrad soldiers "do not engage in practical politics."

"A soldier's politics is the nation's politics. Let there not be a single Kostrad soldier who betrays this or becomes a traitor to the republic and people of Indonesia," he said.

The ceremony was held amid speculation of growing tension between President Abdurrahman Wahid and top military brass.

There have been increasing reports that the President intends to replace those in top military command posts after senior Indonesian Military (TNI) officers rejected Abdurrahman's plan to declare a state of national emergency and issue a decree dissolving the House of Representatives.

The President's move is believed to be designed to preempt the House's memorandum process which in nine days could lead to a special session of the People's Consultative Assembly.

While the President has repeatedly denied such reports, top military brass like Ryamizard, Army Chief of Staff Endriartono Sutarto, Navy chief Adm. Indroko Sastrowiryono and several regional military commanders have continued to publicly express their opposition to a politicized military reshuffle.

Earlier on Saturday, the Army also solicited the public support of some 124 retired generals, who included former vice president Gen. (ret) Try Sutrisno, former TNI chief Gen. (ret) Wiranto and former Army Chief of Staff Gen. (ret) Hartono.

Without giving details, Ryamizard on Sunday suggested there were indications that there traitors ready to betray and sell out the nation.

He insisted that under no circumstances should Kostrad's 29,000 soldiers stray from the strict and narrow line set by the corps.

"I do not want to see any Kostrad soldier coveting rank, money or postings ... If I find any, I will take resolute measures to deal with them!" he asserted.

During the ceremony, five Kostrad officers read out a pledge of loyalty to the Unitary State of the Republic of Indonesia and the 1945 Constitution.

The soldiers also pledged to fight for the interests of the people and against all efforts aimed at dividing the territorial integrity of the state.

Present at the ceremony were the Army's Deputy Chief of Staff Lt. Gen. Kiki Syahnakrie, the commander of Kostrad's 1st division based in Cilodong, West Java, Maj. Gen. Harry Kosasih, and the commander of Kostrad's 2nd division based in Malang, East Java, Maj. Gen A.D. Sikki.

Similar ceremonies were reportedly also held at regional army headquarters across the country.

Dispute

When pressed after the ceremony on whom exactly he had in mind by "the people", Ryamizard did not make any denials when journalists suggested that he might have been referring to the House.

"We are the people's soldiers. We'll be standing at the people's side if they find themselves in conflict with the government," said Ryamizard while referring to the House as "the people's representatives".

"We will maintain loyalty to the President because he was legitimately elected, but if the people make a different demand, we will adjust ourselves accordingly," Ryamizard remarked.

Ryamizard however was quick to deny suggestions that the Army, by holding such a ceremony, was on a political collision course with the President.

"Don't view this as being resistance against the President. There will be no physical resistance since he is the symbol of the state, who cannot be touched by anybody."

"If there are differences between the TNI and the President, it is just a political matter which is beyond my authority," Ryamizard stressed. (02/dja)