Sad reflection of immaturity on nation's leadership debate

Political scientist Juwono Sudarsono has come under criticism this past week for suggesting the presidency remain in the hands of someone with a military background, at least until 2005. In the following article, Juwono, vice governor of the military's think tank National Resilience Institute (Lemhanas), responds to his critics.

JAKARTA (JP): "The challenges facing Indonesia in the next five to eight years are crucial. The presidency needs to be held by someone who is firm and stable, mature in outlook and temperament.

"I believe that in that period, the presidency should be in the hands of someone who has had extensive military training and field experience. I think someone with a military background would fit the bill. In the meantime, civilians can wait until 2005."

I made these remarks in response to reporters' questions on Sept. 8 after opening a seminar on the development of civil society.

I had expected a cool and calm response leading to an enrichment on a discourse on political leadership and democratization.

Unfortunately, the response from most civilians, political leaders as well as academics, was emotional, convoluted and bereft of sound reasoning.

Some respondents accused me of being a traitor to the civilian cause. Others called my remarks detrimental to national unity and contravened Pancasila and the 1945 Constitution.

In their anger, some accused me of demoralizing civilians and yet another group accused me of having a hidden agenda.

A prominent leader, who should know better, even surmised that I had been ordered by my superior at Lemhanas to provoke public reaction as part of an exercise in floating a trial balloon.

Frankly, those respondents with a military background provided more reasoned and clearheaded responses. Though they disagreed that civilians were not ready to take up the reins of governance, their arguments were concise, clear and to the point.

The discourse over the past week has affirmed that those who have military training and field experience tend to have a clear sense of direction, are more decisive, have greater discipline and a greater verve for drive.

All in all, a sad reflection on the immaturity of civilian politicians and academics.