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)