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)