Military told to be loyal to state

Military told to be loyal to state

JAKARTA (JP): Major House of Representatives factions warned
the Indonesian Military (TNI) on Tuesday to pledge its allegiance
to the state, instead of merely serving the government's
interests.

The Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDI Perjuangan)
faction called on President Abdurrahman Wahid to retract his
statement that the military should be loyal to the government,
while the Golkar Party faction urged for a constitutional
amendment that clearly differentiates between the president's
status as head of state and head of government.

Promono Anum of the PDI Perjuangan faction said the President
should retract the remarks he made in front of middle-ranked and
senior Army officers in Malang, East Java on Monday, before it
sparked new confusion among people.

"The statement has negative implications that the military
could be used to fight for the ruler's interests. The military
should no longer be exploited as a government tool as has
happened in the past," he said.

He said the House should be further empowered in order to
control the government, which is granted a lot of power by the
constitution.

"Unfortunately, the constitution does not describe clearly the
authorities of the president as head of the government and that
of state and it is difficult to make a separation between the
state and the government in reality," he said.

House Speaker Akbar Tandjung concurred and said all problems
relating to the TNI's position and its main tasks should be
described clearly in the constitution to prevent the government
from misusing the military to fight its political interests.

"The Golkar Party has long since proposed an amendment to the
constitution to make clear the description of the military and
its position in the face of the government because the president
in his capacity as supreme commander of Army, Navy and Air Force
is also head of the government," he said, adding that this issue
has gained attention in the ongoing discussion of amendments to
the constitution.

Ali Yahya of the Golkar faction said that despite Gus Dur's
position as the military's supreme commander, the President
should no longer intervene in the military's internal affairs and
should not misuse the military to fight his political interests,
including defending his power.

"The president's authority should be limited to the
appointment of the TNI commander and chiefs of Army, Navy and Air
Force and their appointments should gain approval from the House
of Representatives," he said.

Danial Tandjung of the United Development Party (PPP) faction
said the constitution should be revised and a new law should be
made to replace the out-of-date 1982 Law on Defense.

"The military's main tasks should be limited to the defense
field, to maintaining the country's territory, including wars and
any military emergencies at home. It should be neutral in face of
mass organizations and the government," he said.