Parties want TNI dual function reviewed

JAKARTA (JP): The dominant role of the military is one of the most serious constraints to democracy, say reform-minded students. The students have been at odds with politicians and legislators, most of whom call for compromises.

One event that started controversy was last November's General Session of the People's Consultative Assembly, which decided to allocate 38 non-elected seats to the Armed Forces.

Students got leading politicians -- Megawati Soekarnoputri, Abdurrahman Wahid and Amien Rais -- to draw up a statement to ensure reforms run on track. One point in this "Ciganjur Declaration" referred to the phasing out of the military's role in politics over six years, which was too long for the students.

Minister of Defense and Security/Armed Forces (now Indonesian Military) Commander Gen. Wiranto apologized for the military's past mistakes, and announced it was reforming and "repositioning" itself. The military, he said, would now merely use its influence where necessary to benefit the nation's interests, and would not continue to play a major sociopolitical role.

Earlier this year he said that the approximately 4,000 officers in civilian positions should decide by early April whether to keep their jobs and retire from the military, or return to the barracks.

On April 1, Gen. Wiranto announced the separation of the National Police from the Armed Forces, after which the military reintroduced the name TNI, or Indonesian Military. The military then argued that because the law stating that the Armed Forces includes the police has not been revoked, police should still be allotted seats in the House. Police will have five of the 38 seats.

Meanwhile, allegations continue that the military has acted incapably and has been involved in continued violence and rights abuses. Analysts say it will be difficult to tear the military away from its many and lucrative financial interests.

A few weeks ahead of the elections, political party leaders contacted by The Jakarta Post said they wanted a far less dominant military, but there were differences in how far they wanted to take this point.

Muhaimin Iskandar, secretary-general of the National Awakening Party (PKB), said it is undeniable that the military should increase its professionalism, and let go its sociopolitical role -- the dwifungsi, or dual function, military doctrine.

"But the process should be gradual," Muhaimin said. "It is not realistic to force the military to quit its political involvement while active officers still hold positions in the executive, legislative and judicial bodies." There should be a deadline for the end of TNI's involvement in politics, he said. "PKB thinks that the deadline should be 2004, or five years from now.

"In 2004, there should no longer be legislators from the military," Muhaimin said.

Faisal Basri, secretary-general of the National Mandate Party (PAN), says the party has always insisted on an end to "intense involvement" of the military in civilian matters.

"Their political involvement has made the nation a dependent community. The military has also developed a bureaucratic and hierarchical mechanism (in civilian life) which has been manipulated for the benefit of the status quo.

"Within the next five years... the military's dual function must be gradually reduced... in practice, not only in words.

"TNI's presence in the legislative body should in the future be limited to the People's Consultative Assembly, but not in the (law making) House of Representatives.

Faisal also says it would be hard to expect changes as "most of the military elite have enjoyed all the benefits and close relations with the bureaucracy and conglomerates".

"However, it's good that the police have been separated from the Armed Forces. We only need to continue the process."

From the Justice and Unity Party (PKP), set up by retired officers and other executives of the Golkar Party, deputy chairman Sutradara Gintings stressed that what really needs correcting is the placement of officers in executive positions. He supported Wiranto's announcement that they should choose between the military and civilian positions.

The Democratic People's Party (PRD) has described how the military has also influenced civilian life through its "territorial" positions down to the village level.

For PKP, Sutradara said, "repositioning would also mean that the military should establish an equal distance to all political parties." He also said that, in the future, military representation would only be acceptable in the People's Consultative Assembly, not in the House.

For the Indonesian Democratic Union Party (PUDI), there is clearly no compromise. Its former jailed chairman, Sri Bintang Pamungkas, who was a legislator, said: "The Armed Forces' social and political function must be revoked without any reserve."

"Constitutionally, the military's presence in the House is groundless, as legislators should be elected. It's also unreasonable to have Armed Forces members in the Assembly, as all elements of the nation are actually already represented by legislators, through their respective parties."

PUDI, he added, welcomes the military's decree to have officers choose between civilian jobs or their military positions.

"PUDI wants the Armed Forces to become a professional military entity, whose main duties are to protect and safeguard the country and the nation from external threats. The Armed Forces is also expected to be neutral in political conflicts."

PUDI also welcomes the separation of the police force from the Armed Forces, he added, as this would enhance both forces' professionalism.

Deputy secretary-general of the New Indonesia Party (PIB) Hadawi Ilham said the military's sociopolitical role had developed way out of line with the original doctrine of the 1940s, which was mainly to protect the people.

The military's non-elected representation in the House was against the Constitution, he said, and their argument that they were needed to "safeguard the state ideology Pancasila" could not be accepted either. "All elements of the nation have agreed that Pancasila is the only state ideology, (therefore) TNI's presence in the House is no longer needed."

PIB also wants an end to the placement of military officers in the bureaucracy and civilian positions.

If PIB wins seats, Hadawi said, "PIB will strive for the eradication of the Armed Forces' dual function in the deliberation of the bill on the military in future sessions of the House." (imn/edt)