Kostrad vows to side with the people

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)