Observers warn of possible military comeback in politics
Observers warn of possible military comeback in politics
JAKARTA (JP): Observers warned on Thursday that civilian
politicians' weaknesses in leading the country will provide the
opportunity for the military to reclaim their place as the
country's leaders.
"The civilian politicians' weaknesses will lead the military
to enter the political arena again. Then they (the military) will
create a constitutional basis for their involvement," military
observer Salim Said said in a seminar to commemorate the 80th
anniversary of national hero T.B. Simatupang.
Salim said it is the civilian political elite that should
determine the role of the military.
"It is impossible to expect the military to have internal
reforms, so the country should determine its role through the
People's representatives," he said.
"However, by observing the current House of Representatives
(DPR), I am afraid that no such thing will happen," he added.
Salim further said that it is important to determine the role
of the military, as part of the democratization process.
Another military observer Hasnan Habib, echoed Salim, saying
that it is impossible to expect the military to be professional
and be under civilian authority if members of the political elite
continue to fight each other.
"It is impossible to make the military a professional
institution as long as the political elite, that should have
shown their competence and capability, continue to fight each
other," Hasnan said in the same seminar.
He underlined that the only passage to democratization is
through the establishment of a civil society, which cannot happen
if the military still holds a large proportion of the country's
leadership.
"The military is the most undemocratic institution, as its
members always act according to the chain of command," Hasnan
added.
Meanwhile, military observer M.T. Arifin said on Thursday that
the Indonesian Military (TNI) "is already itching to play a
larger role to settle the country's problems in response to
current political turbulence."
"They (the military) are uneasy with the current political
situation and they are itching to do something and play a role,"
Arifin told a session with the Community for Social
Transformation (Katalis) in East Jakarta.
"I think, although they are 'gradually reducing their social
and political roles' it is clear that now the image of the
military being powerful and having a stronger grip (in social and
political roles) has been vividly shown," Arifin said.
The public must accept the fact that the military is the most
organized structure, while civilians are still struggling to form
a civil society, he said.
"So the civilian elite must be wise and smart in playing their
cards. They have to find a balance to create a proper and
suitable civilian-military relationship," Arifin said.
Chief of the Golkar faction at the House of Representatives
(DPR) Syamsul Mu'arif further said that "the military is being
held hostage in their own country".
"Currently there are insufficient laws and political umbrellas
for their position, while conflicts are raging everywhere.
"So far, the DPR is still processing the State Emergency
bill .. and until then the President is the sole person who can
declare a state of emergency in which the military is obliged to
take over. Imagine what Gus Dur (President Aburrahman Wahid) can
do.
"Under such a situation the President can dissolve the
legislature and that is an unthinkable possibility. Therefore I
urge civilian politicians to be cautious and not be over-
enthusiastic, because what they do can determine our fate,"
Syamsul said.
TNI chief of territorial affairs Lt. Gen. Agus Widjojo further
told the session that TNI has been gradually "saying goodbye to
its social and political roles, among others, by not taking
initiatives related to political decisions."
"Now, we cannot act without the approval of civilians
(rulers).
"But, for the TNI faction in the House ... well, they have to
perform their duty and respond instead of abstaining from the
current political situation, since they will be there until at
least 2004. So we perceive it to be a political learning
process," Agus said. (dja/edt)