'No runners for TNI top job meet criteria'
The Jakarta Post, Jakarta
None of the four candidates for the post of military chief meet the professional criteria and the appointment of any of them will not only hamper the regeneration process but also stall reform within the military itself, analysts say.
They are also calling on the administration of President Megawati Soekarnoputri to formulate a reform agenda for the Indonesian Military (TNI), arguing that the military should respect civilian supremacy.
"Ideally, the TNI chief should support the supremacy of the civilian government, be accountable, and have sensitivity and responsibility in respect of human rights issues ... I don't think either Endriartono or Tyasno meet these requirements," said military observer Kusnanto Anggoro of the Centre for Strategic and International Studies, implying that the two Army generals are clear frontrunners in the race.
According to political analyst Hermawan Sulistyo of the Indonesian Institute of Sciences (LIPI), Gen. Endriartono Sutarto stands a better chance of getting the TNI top post
"The strongest candidate at the moment is Endriartono as no one else is as prepared as he is in the second echelon of the Army," said Hermawan.
Under the law as it stands, the TNI chief is appointed by the President in her capacity as the Supreme Military Commander and is chosen from among the current and former chiefs of staff of the Army, Navy and Air Force.
Three chiefs of staff and one former Army chief of staff are now vying for the post, namely Army chief Gen. Endriartono Sutarto, Navy chief Adm. Indroko Sastrowiryono, Air Force chief Marshall Hanafie Asnan and former Army chief Gen. Tyasno Sudarto.
According to Kusnanto, only Endriartono and Tyasno have the chance to replace Adm. Widodo A.S. as the new TNI chief since other candidates might not be able to gain the support from the Army. Widono already surpassed the mandatory retirement age in 1999.
Kusnanto, however, warned that reform within the military might not work under the leadership of either Endriartono or Tyasno, and called on the government to lay down a reform agenda for the TNI.
"The TNI should not formulate its own reform agenda. This should be done by the civilian government. Whoever is finally appointed to the job should be able to implement the reforms," Kusnanto said.
He also said that the post of TNI chief should be abolished altogether as it was not sanctioned by the 1945 Constitution.
"The position is only useful during an emergency," he said.
Hermawan also doubted that reform within the military would continue if Endriartono was appointed TNI chief.
"Those who fill positions such as the General Planning Assistants and the TNI Chief of General Affairs are crucial in determining whether or not the reform agenda will be carried out," he said.
Hermawan cautioned that the appointment of Endriartono as TNI chief would give the impression that regeneration in the organization was stagnant.
"Endriartono is coming up on mandatory retirement age soon and if his military service is extended, it could spark jealousy among Army officers," Hermawan said.
Endriartono Sutarto will reach the mandatory retirement age of 55 in April 2002.
Meanwhile, Vice President Hamzah Haz underlined that the next TNI chief should be a figure that could guarantee security in the country, which was the crucial factor for economic recovery.
"We need to have a figure that understands the changing role of the TNI. We need the TNI, but in the right proportion, not like we had before, which was too much," Hamzah told journalists at his office on Monday.
He underlined that the rotation policy as between the three military forces was of less importance compared to the quality of the figure appointed.
"I think the rotation policy is good, but still the quality of the candidates should be the main factors that are considered," he remarked.