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.