Military must retain at least 70 DPR seats

Military must retain at least 70 DPR seats

JAKARTA (JP): The Armed Forces said yesterday it needs between 70 and 75 seats to maintain the effectiveness of its representation in the House of Representatives (DPR).

Armed Forces (ABRI) spokesman Maj. Gen. Syarwan Hamid said the military needs to have five members in each of the House of Representatives' 11 commissions, and between five and 10 members in various working groups within the legislative body.

"ABRI's presence in the House is essential for the nation's safety, for the safeguarding of (the state ideology) Pancasila and the 1945 Constitutions," he told journalists after being promoted from the rank of brigadier general yesterday.

Syarwan's comments relate to the ongoing debate over ABRI's presence in the House. Critics have questioned whom ABRI represents, given that it does not participate in elections.

Last week, President Soeharto told the Indonesian Institute of Sciences (LIPI) to study ways in which the existing electoral system could be improved, including a review of the appointment of ABRI members to the legislature.

At present, ABRI reserves 100 of the 500 DPR seats. The remaining 400 seats are contested in a general election, once every five years, by Golkar, the United Development Party and the Indonesian Democratic Party.

Syarwan, who is soon to become assistant to the chief of ABRI's socio-political affairs, said that representation of between 70 and 75 members is the "most effective" for the Armed Forces in discharging its legislative duties.

Threats to Pancasila and the constitution may not be apparent at the moment but could emerge if ABRI were not represented in the House, Syarwan said.

"Our concern is Pancasila and the constitution," he said, as quoted by the Antara news agency. "Our House members represent not only ABRI but also the people."

Syarwan said ABRI was ready to hold discussions with researchers from LIPI on its role in politics, should that be deemed necessary. (pan)