TNI reasserts neutrality in presidential election
Kurniawan Hari, Jakarta
The Indonesian Military (TNI) gave an assurance on Tuesday that its members would maintain their neutrality in the presidential election in a bid to prevent political affiliations from hampering the reform process in the institution.
TNI chief Gen. Endriartono Sutarto said at the House of Representatives on Tuesday that he hoped the neutrality of the military would also help encourage a fair election.
"We are taking this stance in an attempt to save the nation," he told a hearing with House Commission I for defense and security affairs here on Tuesday.
According to the amended Constitution active members of the TNI and police share a constitutional right to vote but they may not be elected.
Endriartono added that the TNI's neutrality had also been shown through his rejection of an offer to be the running mate of certain presidential candidates. The Commission members immediately expressed support for the TNI stance.
Army Chief of Staff Gen. Ryamizard Ryacudu revealed that he had also instructed members of the Army to remain neutral, to prevent political bias affecting its professionalism.
The candidacy of former military chief Gen. (ret) Wiranto and Gen. (ret) Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono, a former armed forces chief of sociopolitical affairs, for the presidential election on July 5, has raised allegations that the military will be partial toward the candidates. Also, demonstrations have been held in various cities accusing the TNI of wanting to return to power. In the past the military wielded influence together with Golkar, the political machine of the former New Order regime.
Citing reports, legislator Nadhier Muhammad of the United Development Party (PPP) said that some commanders of district military commands had indicated support of certain presidential candidates with military backgrounds.
Ryamizard said he had found the reports groundless.
"That is not true. If we find some military officers have taken sides, we shall impose strict punishment," he said.
In a meeting, he said, he had summoned high-ranking Army officers and instructed them to remain neutral in the election, while placing his pistol on the table.
"All of you must be neutral; if not, I have a pistol. But if your families have political preferences, I think that would be OK," he added, without detailing further what would face any member exercising his constitutional right.
Endriartono added that if the military was seen to support any candidate, his or her legitimacy would be tainted and thus also hurt the legitimacy of the new government, which is expected in October at the latest.
The military chief also called on Wiranto and Susilo, the retired military officers among the candidates, against mobilizing active military members for their benefit. The two have pledged that they have no such intention.