Soeharto's former party praises TNI democracy

Soeharto's former party praises TNI democracy

Kurniawan Hari, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta

Golkar, the political machine of the repressive New Order
government, hailed on Friday a statement from Indonesian Military
(TNI) chief Gen. Endriartono Sutarto that the TNI would not
support any presidential candidate in the upcoming general
elections.

"The statement of the TNI chief is sympathetic. It gives a
positive nuance in our democracy," said secretary of Golkar
faction Yahya Zaini at a press conference here on Friday.

He said the statement showed the military's commitment to
avoid involvement in day-to-day politics.

Yahya was commenting on Endriartono's statement on Thursday
that the TNI would keep its neutrality during the 2004 elections
so the five-yearly event could proceed fairly.

Endriartono also reiterated that the TNI would not use their
voting rights in the 2004 elections.

Endriartono was referring to Article 145 of Law No. 12/2003 on
elections, which says that members of the TNI and National Police
cannot vote in the 2004 elections.

The military chief also called on retired military officers
contesting the presidency not to use the military for their
purposes.

As soon as the military agreed not to involve itself in
politics in 2002, big parties recruited retired military officers
to be leaders with the hope they would get military support.

Golkar faction chairman Mohammad Hatta emphasized Friday that
the TNI must prove its efforts to improve professionalism and to
function as the state's defense force.

Hatta said military professionalism would not only develop a
democratic political system but also create good and clean
governance.

"The TNI must be the instrument of the state not that of the
power holder. Therefore, the celebration of the 58th anniversary
must be used to prove TNI's professionalism," he added.

He emphasized that Golkar fully supported TNI efforts to
transform itself into a professional force.

During the New Order government, the TNI, the bureaucracy, and
Golkar were the backbone of Soeharto's regime. The authoritarian
and corrupt government ruled with an iron fist.

Separately, People's Consultative Assembly (MPR) speaker Amien
Rais praised Endriartono for saying the TNI would not use their
voting rights in next year's elections.

He said the decision showed the increasing maturity of the
TNI, which had made democracy ineffective in the past through the
implementation of its "dual-function" doctrine.

Amien is also chairman of the National Mandate Party (PAN) and
his party's presidential candidate.

Asked about his plan to seek a running mate from the military
in next year's direct presidential and vice presidential
election, Amien said he could not mention any name yet.

"Frankly speaking, I still have no name in my pocket. I need
an opportunity to contemplate the matter seriously and carefully
(before making a choice). God willing, several days before the
legislature determines the date for the election, we will have
the name," he said.