LIPI claims military reforms half-hearted
LIPI claims military reforms half-hearted
JAKARTA (JP): National Institute of Science (LIPI) researchers
concluded on Tuesday that the military has not been serious with
its much-publicized reform attempts and has actively worked to
maintain its grip on Indonesian politics.
Presenting a report of its nine-month long research on the
military and its reforms, the LIPI team of researchers said
reform of the military was "only initiated in response to sharp
public criticism against its past conduct".
"The redefinition of the Indonesian military's role in the
society has been given lip service only," team coordinator Ikrar
Nusa Bhakti said.
The conclusion was informed by interviews with academics,
activists from non-governmental organizations, executives of
leading political parties and high-ranking military officials in
Medan, Jakarta, Bandung, Yogyakarta, Surabaya and Ujungpandang.
The researchers said the 38 seats reserved for the military in
the House of Representatives (DPR) were clear evidence of its
unwillingness to relinquish its sociopolitical role.
"It is not easy to shift the military's mentality from a power
holder to a powerless body, or to become just the state apparatus
controlled by civilian rule," Ikrar said.
Since the fall of Soeharto in May last year, the abolishment
of the military's dual-function has been a key demand of the
country's reformers.
Analysts have said the military's sociopolitical role in
Soeharto's New Order administration led to serious human rights
abuses, particularly in the country's trouble spots of Aceh, East
Timor and Irian Jaya.
The research, however, noted that despite strong public
criticism, the military continued to resort to repressive
measures in the face of public discontent.
"It becomes apparent that sending troops and police to the
troubled areas, instead of promoting dialog with the dissident
groups, now seems to be the solution to all problems," the report
said.
At least two battalions of riot troops have been deployed
from the state capital to Aceh since last May to quell a
resurgence of suspected rebel activities.
As a consequence of the heavy military presence in villages,
nearly 100,000 Acehnese have fled their homes to shelter in
mosques and school buildings.
The researchers also criticized the bill on state security,
which was submitted recently to the House by the government,
saying it could be used as a means to suppress opposition groups.
Observers have said the bill, if enacted, would grant
excessive power to the military and the government in the event
of perceived threats to the state.
The bill stipulates that the president has the authority to
declare a state of emergency in troubled territories. It also
authorizes the president to delegate his or her authority to the
military to handle any threats to state security.
The bill permits the military to carry out investigations and
raids, and take over all mail, telecommunications and electronic
facilities. An emergency situation also allows the government to
ban or limit the coverage of demonstrations and public
activities.
In the event of a state of emergency, the bill says the
military chief will have the authority to impose almost any
measures, such as barring street demonstrations and public
political events, in violation of existing laws. (byg)