Speculations over resignation of Wiranto denied
JAKARTA (JP): Minister of Justice/State Secretary Muladi strongly dismissed on Tuesday speculations surrounding Minister of Defense and Security/Indonesian Military (TNI) Commander Gen. Wiranto's resignation.
Muladi indicated that Wiranto would keep his two posts, at least until a significant improvement of the national security situation was achieved.
"I think the problem of defense and security, and (the position) of TNI Chief is also very crucial under current conditions," said Muladi without elaborating after meeting with President B.J. Habibie at Merdeka Palace on Tuesday.
A senior official disclosed that Wiranto repeated again his reluctance to accept Habibie's offer for the vice presidency on Monday when the president summoned Wiranto and Golkar chairman Akbar Tandjung to his private residence at Patra Kuningan, South Jakarta.
"Wiranto said he was still not ready for the vice presidential post," said the official who also attended Monday's meeting.
Kingmaker
Meanwhile in Yogyakarta, political observer Cornelis Lay said the TNI faction in the People's Consultative Assembly (MPR) could play a decisive role in swaying victory in the Oct. 20 presidential election.
"No single faction in the Assembly can ignore the faction," the political scientist said.
Cornelis, a lecturer at Gadjah Mada University, called on the Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDI Perjuangan) to abandon its arrogance as it had no choice but to approach the TNI faction if it wanted its chairwoman Megawati Soekarnoputri to win the election.
"TNI will play a decisive role in the presidential election if there is still no change in the position of PDI Perjuangan and the National Awakening Party (PKB) against the axis force and Golkar," he noted.
Cornelis predicted there would be a growing trend among major political parties, including the axis force, to accept any presidential candidates except Megawati, if PDI Perjuangan did not change its stubbornness.
"Therefore there is no other option for PDI Perjuangan but to persuade the TNI faction," he said.
Cornelis, however, acknowledged the negative consequences of such a coalition as concessions would likely have to make to the military.
"This means that it would be extremely counterproductive against the demands for the abolition of the military's sociopolitical role," he noted.
The newly elected speaker of the Assembly, Amien Rais, emphasized the need for the military to concentrate its duties in defense and security, and refrain from other activities, including politics.
"The presence of TNI in the MPR is also expected to be neutral. Don't use their right to vote," said Amien after attending TNI's 54th anniversary in Jakarta. (44/prb)