Military to keep out of politics, say top TNI brass

JAKARTA (JP): Top Indonesian Military (TNI) brass have again warned that they would reject any top level reshuffle in the military command if it was geared toward particular political purposes, such as forming political alliances.

Udayana Military Commander Maj. Gen. Willem da Costa warned that the Army would not object to a replacement of the Army command if it was part of a routine tour of duty. He said the Army did not wish to see a new commander who would be politically oriented.

Antara reported that Willem's statement in Denpasar, Bali, on Tuesday came during a briefing with journalists to answer questions amid mounting rumors that President Abdurrahman Wahid would replace Army Chief of Staff Gen. Endriartono Sutarto with another general who held political links with the President.

Willem's remarks further underlines the Army's position of rejecting a political appointee amid the political impasse between the President, Vice President and the House of Representatives.

The affirmations indicate the position taken by senior Army officers following a meeting of regional military commanders from throughout the country and senior ranking Army officers who gathered in Bandung, West Java, on Monday night.

While claiming that the political impasse was not specifically discussed during the Bandung meeting, Willem said military commanders were of the understanding that the military should not repeat the mistake of being caught up in the political battlefield.

He said the generals would reject a commander who tended to be more concerned with politics than state defense.

He added that there was also a determined consensus to prevent the military from being used as a political tool by any group.

He said the meeting agreed that military officers who wished to delve into practical politics should leave the service.

"In other words, there should be no active military members involved in practical politics."

Nevertheless, Willem also pointed out that the Army would respect the President's authority in making such appointments.

The role of the military, particularly the Army, remains an important factor as politicians tussle amid the presidential crisis.

Endriartono asserted on Monday that the Army would not support a declaration of a national state of emergency that would give leeway for the President to issue a decree to dissolve the House.

Army Strategic Reserves Command Chief Lt. Gen. Ryamizard Ryacudu also said the Army would reject political appointees in their ranks.

Both officers were also present during the meeting in Bandung.(02)