TNI to quit House, but not Assembly
TNI to quit House, but not Assembly
JAKARTA (JP): The Indonesian Military (TNI) is prepared to
leave the House of Representatives (DPR) after the next elections
in 2004, but insists on maintaining a presence in the People's
Consultative Assembly (MPR).
TNI Commander Adm. Widodo A.S. told Assembly Ad Hoc Committee
I for constitutional amendments on Friday TNI's stance was a
signal of its wish to withdraw from politics and remain neutral
in general elections.
But he stressed that the military, as part of the nation, also
wished to participate in the Assembly, the country's highest law-
making body, in deciding the nation's political development.
"My proposal is based on objective conditions. I trust the ad
hoc committee will decide on the necessity or otherwise of the
TNI faction's presence in the MPR," he said.
Widodo said TNI members had the same political rights as
civilians, namely the right to vote and be elected to office, but
were determined not to exercise these rights.
"If TNI members vote, they will vote for various parties, thus
giving an impression of groupings within the institution. But if
they set up their (own) political party, they will certainly vote
for it, thus making them no longer neutral."
The 1999 Law on Elections stipulates that TNI and the National
Police, which have 400,000 members between them, are granted 38
seats in the House/Assembly under the TNI/National Police
faction. But the Assembly decided in its general session last
October to bar the military from the House beginning in 2004.
Under its dual function, TNI, whose members do not vote in
elections, has participated directly in the government while
maintaining its responsibility for national security. But the
fall of former president Soeharto, a retired Army general, in May
1998 sparked demands for the military to leave politics entirely.
The number of seats reserved for TNI in the legislature has
been reduced gradually over recent years from 100 to the present
38.
In line with his proposal, Widodo suggested the MPR review
Article 2 of the Constitution, which was amended last October, in
order to pave TNI's way into the Assembly. The amended article
stipulates that the Assembly comprises House legislators and
regional and interest group representatives, who are all elected.
"We think this article needs reviewing or additional
explanation to make sure all elements of the nation are
accommodated in the MPR," he said.
The Assembly has 700 members, 500 of whom are House
legislators.
Widodo also asked the ad hoc committee to consider reviewing
Article 10 of the Constitution on the president's status as the
supreme commander of the military, in order to avoid repeating
past mistakes.
He said as the head of state, the president had the power to
deploy or use the military to safeguard his or her political
decisions, but could not use the military for other political
purposes.
Comments
Some ad hoc committee members said Widodo's remarks reflected
TNI's continued refusal to leave the political arena.
"Their rejection is natural because they have enjoyed
political benefits for the past 32 years. They are trying to
maintain their privileges," Asnawi Latief of the Muslim Community
Awakening Party (PKU) said.
He suggested the Assembly treat TNI the same as it did civil
servants, who cannot pursue politics unless they first resign.
"It's better if military members are allowed to vote, but they
must resign if they want to be elected as legislators," he said.
Julius Usman from the Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle
(PDI Perjuangan) labeled Widodo's statements "an old trick" to
maintain the pivotal political role the military has played for
three decades.
Ali Maskur Musa from the National Awakening Party (PKB) was
more cautious, saying the military's departure from the House
should take place democratically. However, he did not elaborate
on how this would be achieved.
In Yogyakarta, political observer Samsu Rizal Panggabean from
Gadjah Mada University said Widodo's statements reflected TNI's
halfhearted commitment to democratization.
"In line with the reform agenda, all members of the next
Assembly should be those elected in the general election. So
there should be no appointees in the Assembly," he said.
Rizal suggested the next Assembly consist only of House
legislators and regional representatives elected by provincial
legislators.
"The key is that anyone, civilians and military personnel, who
intends to run for either the MPR or DPR must compete in the
general election. That's how a democratic system must work.
"We no longer want to hear TNI's reason that their presence in
the MPR is needed for the sake of national unity." (44/jun/emf)