Officers told to quit on road to political career

JAKARTA (JP): Army Chief of Staff Gen. Subagyo Hadisiswoyo reiterated on Wednesday that members of the Armed Forces (ABRI) must end their active service or become civil servants if they wish to assume official postings outside the military.

Speaking to reporters in Bandung, West Java, after witnessing the graduation of 1,160 officers from the Officers Training College, Subagyo outlined options for military members seeking or up for appointment to positions as governors, regents and other posts.

They can either end their military career, retire or change their status to that of civil servants, Subagyo was quoted as saying by Antara. He added that those opting to resign would enjoy equal rights and duties with other citizens, including the right to take up executive civilian positions.

Subagyo said servicemen currently holding civilian posts, such as governors and regents, would be asked to fill out forms clarifying their status.

"It will take time, though, for them to request retirement, because it (retirement) needs presidential approval," Subagyo said. "So please don't say 'why is it taking so long'."

Only ABRI legislators will be permitted to retain their military positions, he said.

The question of ABRI and civil servants in the political sphere is among the most hotly debated ahead of the June 7 general election.

The 5.1 millions of members of the Civil Servants Corps (Korpri) in state agencies, companies and banks will now have to be politically neutral or resign if they wish to join a political party.

Also on Thursday, Korpri chairman Faisal Tamin said in Jakarta that the organization's fifth congress, scheduled to be held here on Feb. 15 to Feb. 17, will issue a statement that members will return to their original duty as the state's servants.

"We will no longer become anybody or any party's servants," Tamin said following a meeting with President B.J. Habibie at Merdeka Palace.

The organization is accused by many of being the bureaucratic lackey used by the ruling Golkar to keep Soeharto and his New Order regime in power for 32 years.

Tamin, who is also secretary-general of the home affairs Ministry, said the corps was encouraging members wishing to become members or executives of political parties to quit their government posts.

Meanwhile, the government-sponsored Team of 11, in charge of selecting contestants for the June 7 general election, has simplified its registration procedure in response to criticism by new political parties.

Team member Andi M. Mallarangeng said here on Thursday that branches of political parties in regencies may now submit their documents to provincial chapters, which would present them to the team.

Branches in remote areas have complained they lack the fax machines to send the documents to the team.

The team will check the submitted documents in three stages, beginning on Feb. 17 and ending Feb. 23. (edt/swe)