Rudini says ABRI must not be represented at house

Rudini says ABRI must not be represented at house

JAKARTA (JP): The Armed Forces (ABRI) should no longer be
represented in the House of Representatives (DPR) and should
instead play a new role in law enforcement, according to former
Army chief Gen. (ret) Rudini.

"ABRI's presence in the legislative body should come to an end
because it is no longer in accordance with the present situation.
Seats in the DPR should be reserved for legislators elected
through general elections," he said in a discussion held at the
University of Indonesia's Central Jakarta campus on Saturday.

The discussion, organized by the Association of University of
Indonesia Alumini, was also attended by Lt. Gen. (ret) Kemal
Idris, who is chairman of the National Front group of government
critics, former minister of environment Sarwono Kusumaatmadja,
economist Sri Edi-Swasono, government critic Ali Sadikin and
constitutional law expert Sri Sumantri.

Known as dwi-fungsi or dual function, the Armed Forces'
doctrine that has enabled it to play a leading role in both the
nation's security and political affairs has become the target of
increasing protests. It has also been blamed for a number of
military atrocities committed during former president Soeharto's
32-year New Order regime.

ABRI has said that it is in the process of redefining and
revitalizing its dual-function in defense and politics. Armed
Forces Commander Gen. Wiranto, however, has clearly said no to
those who demand a "return to barracks" for the military.

Rudini said that "if active members of ABRI want to have seats
in the House then they should exercise their political rights in
the next general election. But that is impossible for servicemen
because they belong to ABRI.

"ABRI members should be allowed to be present in the House
only after they have left (the forces) or reached their mandatory
retirement age," he added.

Rudini, who is also chairman of the Institute of Strategic
Studies on Indonesia, said: "Before and several years after
(Indonesian) independence (in 1945), ABRI played a dual function
in defense and politics, but its political role was not in the
form of parliamentary representation."

The Armed Forces' decision to vacate the legislative body
several years after independence created a favorable climate for
civilians to play a leading role in state affairs, he said.

"Such a move is (again) needed from the present Armed Forces,"
he added. The retired general said ABRI should instead
concentrate on enforcing the law.

ABRI personnel could be assigned to state institutions
responsible for law enforcement such as the Supreme Court, high
courts and the Attorney General's Office, he said.

He also said that ABRI could be represented in the People's
Consultative Assembly (MPR) to allow it to participate in certain
aspects of the policy making process.

Sarwono shared Rudini's opinion. He added, however, that it is
the MPR factions that must decide on whether there continues to
be an Armed Forces' presence in the Assembly and in the regional
and provincial legislative councils.

"ABRI should give its seats in the DPR to those elected
through general elections. It would be better for ABRI to
concentrate on improving its tarnished image and make efforts to
get closer to the people," he said. (rms)