Military's neutrality 'still rhetoric': Observer

SURABAYA (JP): A former high-ranking military officer said on Wednesday the Armed Forces' neutrality this year should not be taken for granted because it may discreetly side with its long- standing ally the Golkar Party.

Former assistant for sociopolitical affairs to the Armed Forces chief of sociopolitical affairs, Maj. Gen. (ret.) Suwarno Adiwidjojo, termed "still rhetoric" the repeated statements of the military's neutrality.

Now a member of the National Mandate Party (PAN) advisory board, Suwarno said: "The public still waits real action and a guarantee from the Armed Forces (regarding its neutrality). If TNI is no longer neutral, people will widely protest."

Suwarno was referring to "Tentara Nasional Indonesia", the original term for the Armed Forces which has been recommended for reintroduction following separation of the police from the military on April 1. The government has yet to decide on the appropriate term.

Suwarno said the "big family" of the Armed Forces had not declared its neutrality or whether members were free to choose a party. In past elections, Golkar counted on votes from the military, including police, and civil servants.

The compulsory Civil Servants Corps (Korpri) has stated that members are free to make their own party choices.

Suwarno was speaking after addressing a party function.

He added that organizations affiliated to the military and Golkar, such as the Communication Forum of Indonesian Veterans' Children (FKPPI) and the organization of military members' wives Dharma Pertiwi, would likely retain support for Golkar. "How could the father be neutral if their wives and offspring must support that party?" Suwarno said.

Only the veterans' association, Pepabri, chaired by former vice president Try Sutrisno has stated its neutrality. Try is known as a supporter of the Justice and Unity Party set up by former senior Golkar members, including former defense minister Gen. (ret.) Edi Sudradjat.

Suwarno underlined the military's neutrality was difficult to assume because Golkar named Minister of Defense and Security/Armed Forces Commander Gen. Wiranto as one of its presidential candidates.

Golkar stated one of its criteria was that candidates had experience in the Cabinet.

Wiranto's nomination, Suwarno said, clearly indicated Golkar's wish for discreet support from the military.

Canceled

From Semarang it was reported that Golkar's plan to hold a meeting with cadres involving chairman Akbar Tandjung was canceled -- not because of many protests, but because of "more important duties" in Jakarta, Golkar's chairman of its Solo chapter, Yusuf Hidayat said.

However Akbar, also the Minister/State Secretary, is slated to attend Koran reading sessions with Golkar cadres in Boyolali and Ambarawa, Central Java, on April 16 and 17. The latter date is the Islamic New Year.

Freddy Soroinsong, the Surakarta chairman of the Pemuda Pancasila (PP) youth organization known to be affiliated to Golkar, said he rejected to help secure the Golkar function, because PP was now independent.

Separately in Yogyakarta political lecturer Cornelis Lay said the General Elections Commission and the Elections Supervisory Committee should take action against Golkar chairman Akbar Tandjung.

Akbar, he said, was conducting a disguised campaign which the Commission has ruled against. Absence of action against Golkar would invite more violence against the party, he said.

Meanwhile the Pemalang regency branch of the Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDI Perjuangan) has lodged a complaint concerning Golkar chairman Akbar Tandjung.

They protested to the local council Akbar's statement aired by private television channels in which he blamed an attack on the Pemalang Golkar office on PDI Perjuangan. On April 8, the Golkar office was attacked and vandalized by about 40 people in plain clothes. Akbar's comments were based on reports two days later from Golkar executives in Pemalang.

Golkar Pemalang official Kumpul Sutrisno said Akbar should apologize to the party in a broadcast on the same private channels which aired his allegations.

Pemalang Police chief Lt. Col. Isnarno said police were still investigating the incident. Three people questioned over involvement denied being PDI Perjuangan members, he said. Golkar's office remained closed on Wednesday due to fears of another attack.

In an advertising discussion in Jakarta, an industry executive said parties should create advertisements offering concrete information on their program.

Chairman of the Indonesian Association of Advertising Agencies Yusca Ismail said the few parties using advertisements "only expose their brand image". (nur/45/har/edt/44)