Security bill lesser of two 'evils'
The House of Representatives (DPR), whose members will end their tenure on Friday, is expected to pass the state security bill on Thursday despite widespread opposition. Let. Gen. (ret) Hasnan Habib discusses the implications of the bill.
Question: Why is the Indonesian Military (TNI) so obsessed with insisting that the House finalize the bill?
Answer: Because the bill, when passed into law, will be needed to guide the authorities in overcoming social disturbances if any occur during or after the coming General Session of the People's Consultative Assembly (MPR) -- the first part of the session is scheduled to begin from Oct. 1 to Oct. 3 and will resume on Nov. 1 to Nov. 10. If we do not establish a new security law, we will have to enforce the repressive 1959 law in a state of emergency. The government was forced to implement the 1959 law in East Timor because there was no alternative regulation.
Q: Critics fear that the bill, if enacted, would give TNI the legitimacy to use force and other measures in a state of emergency...
A: Many people say the bill, after revisions, will be more democratic than the old law because a state of emergency will no longer be determined only by the president but also by other institutions, including the House.
Q: Are you saying that the House should finalize the bill this week?
A: It's problematic. Because the current House members and the present government lack legitimacy, I think they had better delay the deliberation of the bill in order to give the next group of House members and new government a chance to accommodate more aspirations of the people. But any delay will force the government to enforce the repressive 1959 law if social chaos occurs.
Q: Does TNI believe that the current security situation may lead to a state of emergency?
A: Actually, fears of the emergence of such a situation started a month ago when TNI's chief of territorial affairs, Let. Gen. Bambang Yudhoyono, said that the upcoming MPR General Session would proceed according to one of three scenarios: It runs smoothly, meets obstacles or triggers social conflicts and chaos due to unresolved disputes among the political elite.
Since then, TNI has been making necessary preparations for the worst possible scenario through such measures as preparing facilities and appointing suitable personnel to strategic positions.
Q: Has the security situation worsened since then? TNI's Deputy Commander Adm. Widodo A.S. said recently that the current situation was not conducive to holding the MPR session and TNI Commander Gen. Wiranto has warned of possible social conflicts....
A: I think TNI has its reasons for concluding that the current situation is not conducive for the General Session. Its conclusion is supported by the facts. These include that the appointment of group representatives for the MPR has encountered various problems; the election winner, the Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle, is beset by internal rifts; the ruling Golkar Party is under strong pressure to revise its nomination of incumbent President B.J. Habibie due to various scandals; the nomination of Nahdlatul Ulama chairman Abdurrahman "Gus Dur" Wahid as a presidential candidate from the "axis force" is still unclear; that the Bank Bali scandal, allegedly involving several government officials, has encouraged international creditors to warn of halting aid to Indonesia; that chairman of the Supreme Advisory Council A.A. Baramuli is accused of having a hand in political irregularities and that violence in East Timor has tarnished TNI's image.
Furthermore, TNI's failure to address mass killings in East Java, religious conflicts in Maluku, the student shootings in Jakarta and abduction of political activists have also produced skepticism about its political will to take action against its personnel. These facts are of extraordinary influence upon the conclusion.
Q: Do you, based on your military intuition, personally consider the present situation as not conductive to holding the General Session?
A: I think no one dares say that the current situation is conducive for the session. If we say that social unrest and chaos might occur, I'm afraid that it will become a reality. But if we say that the conditions are conducive to holding the session, I'm afraid we will be negligent and we, therefore, will not be prepared to face the worst.
We should remember that during the extraordinary General Session of the MPR last November, social disturbances and the shooting of demonstrators occurred only a few hours after Gen. Wiranto guaranteed that Jakarta was safe and residents were free to venture out for their personal needs. Now that Wiranto has warned that prolonged disputes among the political elite were a potential source of violence in the coming MPR General Session, I can only hope that what occurs will be the reverse this time.
Q: Do you see any internal conflicts in TNI?
A: No. Differences of opinion exist in any organization, including TNI. But differences of opinion in TNI thus far have never prevented subordinates from obeying the instructions of their superiors. As long as its leaders are upholding the 1945 Constitution and promoting the unity of the nation, their unity will remain intact. If, suppose, Wiranto took steps to take over power unconstitutionally, TNI would be split. All TNI leaders are conscious of such a possibility.
Q: Is that why Wiranto is rumored to be planning to retire on Oct. 5 to make himself available for a presidential nomination by Golkar?
A: The rumor is based on speculation and TNI has denied it. (riz)