Pro-democracy activists warn of military comeback
Pro-democracy activists warn of military comeback
JAKARTA (JP): Pro-democracy activists, alarmed of strong signs
of a reappearance of the military within politics, warned the
Indonesian Military (TNI) on Monday not to enter the political
contest, saying that this would be the biggest contribution it
could make to democracy.
"TNI should restrain itself, not side with or support any
political power and stay loyal to the civil government," Hendardi
of the Indonesian Legal Aid and Human Rights Association (PBHI)
read from the activists' Democratic Declaration in a media
conference.
"TNI's comeback cannot provide an optimum solution to the
current situation ... their involvement during past regimes hurt
freedom, human rights and democracy.
"We reject any effort by the military to become involved in
politics and ask people to stop considering them as the engine,
stabilizer and catalyst in politics and democracy," Hendardi
stated.
Munir from the Foundation of the Indonesian Legal Aid
Institute (YLBHI) said recent media reports indicated that the
TNI had identified themselves as an autonomous political power
and had campaigned as a strategic actor in creating a united and
peaceful country.
"The political elite have opened the door for military
involvement by seeking the force's support. Now we are asking for
the military's commitment to their pledge, given at the beginning
of the new government, that they will no longer participate in
politics," he said.
Lawyer Todung Mulya Lubis also deplored the situation, saying
it was a setback to the democratic process.
"Reform is irreversible, we cannot go back to the past. It's
wrong to allow the military back into the game and seize power,
when politics has become a bargaining chip used by the military
to aid their participation in the game. We should not let it
happen, whatever the cost," he said.
Recently, senior military officers declared their political
stance in rejecting President Abdurrahman Wahid's plans to
declare a state of emergency and dissolve the legislature, which
threatens to instigate proceedings that could lead to his
impeachment.
The activists also warned the media not to tempt the military
to be more active in voicing their political stance, arguing that
it would have a boomerang effect because the military could later
obtain the political power to close the media down.
Attending the press conference were several signatories to the
declaration, including female activists Karlina Leksono and Smita
Notosusanto, Binny Buchori of the International non-governmental
organization (NGO) Forum for Indonesian Development, human rights
activists Asmara Nababan, Ifdhal Kasim, Munarman and M.M. Billah,
Teten Masduki of Indonesian Corruption Watch and political
observer Arbi Sanit. (bby)