Quit practical politics, Megawati tells TNI
Quit practical politics, Megawati tells TNI
Fabiola Desy Unidjaja and Tiarma Siboro, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta
Celebrating its 56th anniversary on Friday, the Indonesian
Military (TNI) was given a special message by President Megawati
Soekarnoputri: Mission accomplished, quit politics.
Speaking at the celebration ceremony at Halim Perdanakusuma
airport in East Jakarta, Megawati said TNI had to review its
dual-function doctrine that gave TNI both defense and socio-
political roles.
"As to evaluating the current TNI dual-function doctrine, the
military must leave its social and political role and focus only
on its professional role as the country's instrument of defense,"
Megawati said.
"Internal security is the responsibility of the National
Police," she added.
She noted that TNI soldiers had to put their trust in
political parties to articulate their political aspirations.
The President, however, did not provide a clear-cut timetable
for TNI to quit politics, and said only that it should be pursued
within the "near future."
Because of its socio-political role, TNI, along with the
police, has been given seats in the House of Representatives
(DPR) and the People's Consultative Assembly (MPR).
TNI and police representation in the House has actually been
cut from 100 (previously) to 38 seats now but there are growing
calls for the military to relinquish its political role
altogether.
Furthermore, the Assembly, the country's highest legislative
body, has instructed the military, through MPR Decree No. 7/2000,
to leave the House in 2004 and the MPR in 2009.
The TNI dual-function doctrine, strengthened during the 32-
year rule of former president Soeharto, also allows the military
to intrude into civilian life through its territorial mission.
In the past, the implementation of TNI's social and political
roles often entailed human rights violations.
On this occasion, Megawati told TNI soldiers to respect human
rights, saying, "it is a universal principle that everyone has a
right to live."
"I know that soldiers, while carrying out their duty in some
troubled areas, often hesitate to take stern measures because
they are afraid of violating human rights.
"This hesitation, however, is a good start, as it shows that
soldiers are beginning to care about human rights."
Nevertheless, she called on the military "not to be hesitant
about maintaining the country's unity."
"Each time, our unity as a nation is threatened by
disintegration due to violence and fanaticism of ideology. This
is the cause of our exhaustion in handling other important
matters," the President said to around 7,500 military officers
and infantry at the airport.
None of the three living former presidents -- Soeharto, B.J.
Habibie or Abdurrahman Wahid -- attended the celebration, which
was enlivened by a flypast by the Air Force's Jupiter Blue team.
Most military top brass, plus Vice President Hamzah Haz, MPR
Speaker Amien Rais and DPR Speaker Akbar Tandjung were present at
the ceremony.
When asked by reporters, TNI Chief Adm. Widodo A.S. avoided
giving a definitive reply on whether the military would quit
politics altogether.
"TNI's political role must be carried out within the framework
of national unity. Should TNI be involved in political maneuvers,
it must be seen as its effort to offer a solution to the
country's political crisis," Widodo said.
Meanwhile, Jakarta Military Commander Maj. Gen. Bibit Waluyo
voiced support for TNI's withdrawal from the political arena.
"We are soldiers. As defense instruments of the state, we are
responsible for guarding this country from any possible threat.
That's what we should do ... nothing else," Bibit said.
Bibit said TNI had to quit politics as required by the MPR and
also by the President and "should not ask the state for
compensation."
Nevertheless, the President promised that the government would
increase the budget for the military to improve its defense
systems and modernize its weaponry, as well as to make
improvements to the welfare of its personnel.
"I know that soldiers and their families are living in
barracks that do not meet health standards.
"On behalf of the government, I promise to improve this
situation gradually, in line with our capabilities," she said.
Fabiola Desy Unidjaja and Tiarma Siboro, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta
Celebrating its 56th anniversary on Friday, the Indonesian
Military (TNI) was given a special message by President Megawati
Soekarnoputri: Mission accomplished, quit politics.
Speaking at the celebration ceremony at Halim Perdanakusuma
airport in East Jakarta, Megawati said TNI had to review its
dual-function doctrine that gave TNI both defense and socio-
political roles.
"As to evaluating the current TNI dual-function doctrine, the
military must leave its social and political role and focus only
on its professional role as the country's instrument of defense,"
Megawati said.
"Internal security is the responsibility of the National
Police," she added.
She noted that TNI soldiers had to put their trust in
political parties to articulate their political aspirations.
The President, however, did not provide a clear-cut timetable
for TNI to quit politics, and said only that it should be pursued
within the "near future."
Because of its socio-political role, TNI, along with the
police, has been given seats in the House of Representatives
(DPR) and the People's Consultative Assembly (MPR).
TNI and police representation in the House has actually been
cut from 100 (previously) to 38 seats now but there are growing
calls for the military to relinquish its political role
altogether.
Furthermore, the Assembly, the country's highest legislative
body, has instructed the military, through MPR Decree No. 7/2000,
to leave the House in 2004 and the MPR in 2009.
The TNI dual-function doctrine, strengthened during the 32-
year rule of former president Soeharto, also allows the military
to intrude into civilian life through its territorial mission.
In the past, the implementation of TNI's social and political
roles often entailed human rights violations.
On this occasion, Megawati told TNI soldiers to respect human
rights, saying, "it is a universal principle that everyone has a
right to live."
"I know that soldiers, while carrying out their duty in some
troubled areas, often hesitate to take stern measures because
they are afraid of violating human rights.
"This hesitation, however, is a good start, as it shows that
soldiers are beginning to care about human rights."
Nevertheless, she called on the military "not to be hesitant
about maintaining the country's unity."
"Each time, our unity as a nation is threatened by
disintegration due to violence and fanaticism of ideology. This
is the cause of our exhaustion in handling other important
matters," the President said to around 7,500 military officers
and infantry at the airport.
None of the three living former presidents -- Soeharto, B.J.
Habibie or Abdurrahman Wahid -- attended the celebration, which
was enlivened by a flypast by the Air Force's Jupiter Blue team.
Most military top brass, plus Vice President Hamzah Haz, MPR
Speaker Amien Rais and DPR Speaker Akbar Tandjung were present at
the ceremony.
When asked by reporters, TNI Chief Adm. Widodo A.S. avoided
giving a definitive reply on whether the military would quit
politics altogether.
"TNI's political role must be carried out within the framework
of national unity. Should TNI be involved in political maneuvers,
it must be seen as its effort to offer a solution to the
country's political crisis," Widodo said.
Meanwhile, Jakarta Military Commander Maj. Gen. Bibit Waluyo
voiced support for TNI's withdrawal from the political arena.
"We are soldiers. As defense instruments of the state, we are
responsible for guarding this country from any possible threat.
That's what we should do ... nothing else," Bibit said.
Bibit said TNI had to quit politics as required by the MPR and
also by the President and "should not ask the state for
compensation."
Nevertheless, the President promised that the government would
increase the budget for the military to improve its defense
systems and modernize its weaponry, as well as to make
improvements to the welfare of its personnel.
"I know that soldiers and their families are living in
barracks that do not meet health standards.
"On behalf of the government, I promise to improve this
situation gradually, in line with our capabilities," she said.