Sad reflection of immaturity on nation's leadership debate

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.