TNI criticized for 'violence culture'

JAKARTA (JP): Continuing violence and public rallies throughout the country are clear proof that the Indonesian Military (TNI) and the police have a strong culture of violence, a group of government critics have said.

"As a former member of the armed forces I know its weaknesses. Under the Soeharto regime, the Armed Forces (ABRI) violated the Sapta Marga soldiers' oath by becoming a mere clubbing tool," Lt. Gen. (ret) Ali Sadikin, who heads the Petisi 50 group, said at a news conference on Tuesday.

Now, he said, the Indonesian Military (TNI) was being tested with whether it should defend justice and honesty as stipulated in the soldiers' oath or opt to become a tool of the Habibie government.

"What political stance will the TNI take in the upcoming presidential election?" asked the former Jakarta governor.

Reading a prepared statement, Petisi 50's working group member Chris Siner Key Timu said the violence in Aceh showed that security officers lacked self-control.

"A sense of national unity can only be nurtured by a government that upholds justice and is capable of creating a social climate which is free from fear. It can never be done through the rule of guns," Chris said.

Military chief Gen. Wiranto pledged in September that the military would gradually withdraw from politics. ABRI changed its name to TNI in April.

Despite the pledge, Indonesia continues to be plagued by continuing violence in Aceh, Ambon and East Timor, among other places.

On the continuation of political reform, Ali said elements of the pro status quo forces or the New Order should be eliminated from the next government. This would also include the United Development Party (PPP) and the government-supported Indonesian Democratic Party (PDI).

Echoing a call from various sections of society, Chris said the People's Consultative Assembly (MPR) should get rid of nonelected members. A total of 200 members of the MPR who represent the provinces and interest groups will be appointed to the next MPR. Representative selection is in process. Thirty- eight unelected military members also will sit in the House of Representatives (DPR) and in the Assembly.

Referring to the Rp 546 billion Bank Bali scandal, Ali said he resented a statement from Adnan Buyung Nasution, a noted lawyer, who said he was disappointed because the case had been politicized.

"The fact is, it is money politics committed by government officials and ministers," Ali said. He said ministers, the Bank Indonesia governor and police officers all lacked willingness to investigate the case.

Ali also said the New Order's political machine, Golkar, should be banned.

"This is only logical because the party which banned the PKI in the past turned out to be a party which committed much more mistakes than PKI itself," he said. The Indonesian Communist Party (PKI) was banned in the mid 1960s.

Ali also called on the Habibie administration to cease governing the country because its function as a transitional government was to hold the elections, which it did in June.

Chris warned of the danger of disintegration as a result of an accumulation of resentment stemming from pervasive injustices in various sectors.

He said the ongoing communal fights in the country had cost many lives and caused material losses but no serious steps had been taken to arrest the masterminds behind them.

At least 450 people have died in Ambon since clashes between Christians and Muslims exploded early this year. A communal fight broke out on northern Batam island, near Singapore, last month.

For the MPR General Session in November, the group made six suggestions:

* the elimination of interest groups in the MPR;

* the inclusion of regional representatives in the MPR should be amended;

* there should be no more appointed members in the DPR;

* the elimination of the military's role in politics;

* a limitation on how many terms a president can serve;

* the sovereignty of the people should reign supreme in rulings related to political parties, general elections and the composition of MPR/DPR/Provincial Legislative Councils. (06)