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)