PDI-P urged to reject military's dual role
PDI-P urged to reject military's dual role
SALATIGA, Central Java (JP): The Indonesian Democratic Party
of Struggle (PDI Perjuangan) is being urged to drop its support
for the military's sociopolitical role during its congress in
Semarang next month.
Party deputy chairman Mochtar Buchori said in a seminar here
that the commitment to maintain the military's dual role was no
longer relevant in the current era when democracy was
flourishing.
Mochtar said the demand for change should not be viewed as
opposition to the existence of the Indonesian Military (TNI).
"As a new democratic country, Indonesia should reduce the role
of its military (in politics). We no longer want to be under a
military or militaristic government," Mochtar, who is also a
noted educationist, said at the seminar, titled Critically
Support the Government of President Abdurrahman Wahid and Vice
President Megawati Soekarnoputri.
Mochtar suggested that a review of TNI's dual function be
seriously discussed during the party's congress in the province's
capital Semarang.
Many analysts believe that PDI Perjuangan will maintain its
support for TNI's political role, despite the fact that it often
suffered in the past from elements in the armed forces.
They base their assumptions on the fact that the party faction
that dominated the Jakarta legislature backed a TNI candidate for
the council's speaker post.
PDI Perjuangan chairwoman Megawati reportedly disapproves of
President Abdurrahman Wahid's request that Coordinating Minister
for Political Affairs and Security Gen. Wiranto resign because of
his alleged role in the East Timor violence. Abdurrahman denied
the reports on Sunday.
Other PDI Perjuangan members have also refused to comment on
whether to support the President.
Separately, another party deputy chairman, Dimyati Hartono,
said he had identified names of civilians and military personnel
allegedly responsible for the bloody takeover of the PDI
headquarters on July 27, 1996.
"Their names are already in my pocket. But I won't disclose
them now," Dimyati said in Semarang.
"We know there were meetings to discuss the takeover in
military institutions," he added. (har/jun)