Military chiefs told to stay distant from parties

Military chiefs told to stay distant from parties

JAKARTA (JP): A three-day meeting of regional military
commanders ended here on Friday with a commitment to maintain a
distance from all political groupings -- a break from New Order
tradition where military chiefs very often made policies that
favored Golkar.

Army Chief of Staff Gen. Subagyo Hadisiswoyo told reporters
after the closing ceremony that it had been agreed at the meeting
that regional military chiefs should not support only Golkar, but
also other parties.

"The Armed Forces (ABRI) will maintain similar ties with all
political parties," he said, adding that the new concept was born
during the meeting.

"The meeting of regional military commanders was used as a
forum for ABRI leaders to introspect on their past political
stance. The meeting was also preparation to disseminate ABRI's
new concept for its sociopolitical role," he said.

The new concept of ABRI's sociopolitical role was unveiled
before the media by ABRI Commander Gen. Wiranto last August.

"ABRI will now play more of a supporting, albeit influential,
role on the political stage," Wiranto announced on Aug. 21.

"ABRI does not have to always be at the forefront. ABRI can
act as a partner who does not necessarily have to hold a key
position but can still play an influential role," he said.

The ABRI chief also said that the Armed Forces would be ready
to share its political role with nonmilitary partners.

Subagyo said there should then be no more questions about
ABRI's position in the country's political affairs.

The Armed Forces' past record of involvement in politics and
its strong presence in the political arena have frequently been
blamed by some political observers and activists as the cause of
slow democratization in the country.

Armed Forces personnel do not vote in general elections, but
they are currently allocated 75 seats in the House of
Representatives (DPR).

Speaking about the spouses and children of Armed Forces
members, Subagyo said they were given the freedom to channel
their political aspirations through any political party.

"They are free to vote for any political party," he said.

Separately, sociocultural observer Emha Ainun Najib suggested
that the Armed Forces completely abandon its sociopolitical role
and play a security role only.

"While democratization is the people's main topic of
discussion, ABRI personnel should not be involved in politics but
should return to the barracks," he said in a discussion on
violence held by the National Front -- a body of government
opposition groups -- on Friday.

"It's high time state leadership and all government policies
were controlled by civilians.

"ABRI should only appear when the nation's security and order
are in danger," he added.

He mentioned National Mandate Party (PAN) chairman Amien Rais
and chairwoman of the splintered Indonesian Democratic Party
(PDI) Megawati Soekarnoputri as appropriate figures for the state
leadership.

"Meanwhile, Armed Forces Commander Gen. Wiranto should step
aside and leave all state problems to the duet of Amien Rais and
Megawati," he said. (imn)