TNI told to serve state, not leaders

JAKARTA (JP): President Abdurrahman Wahid renewed calls on Thursday for the military to improve professionalism and serve the state, not the people in power.

Speaking before four battalions of armed forces personnel -- from Kostrad (Army Strategic Reserves Command), Kopassus (Army Special Forces), Marines and Paskhas (Air Force Special Forces) -- at a ceremony commemorating the 55th anniversary of the Indonesian Military (TNI), the President said that in the past the military had been "politicized" to serve the interests of the elite.

"The military has been politicized, not to serve the state and the people, but to serve the power holders," Abdurrahman said in an apparent reference to the 32 years rule of former president Soeharto, during which the military was his power base.

"The military has been used by individuals to further their own interests and this must stop," he added.

Presiding over the annual ceremony at TNI's sprawling headquarters in Cilangkap, East Jakarta for the first time, Abdurrahman also maintained that professionalism should lead to obedience by soldiers to their commanders.

The statement came amid rumors of factionalism within the military and that "rogue soldiers" had been carrying out black operations to undermine the government.

Despite little evidence, many believe that rogue elements within the military have been responsible for religious violence and bomb attacks in many parts of the country.

The President went further on Thursday by criticizing the military for its monopoly over the writing of its own history.

"This must stop because it is not the job of the military but the duty of historians," Abdurrahman said.

He also said that the military had often conferred service medals on people whose services were "not too significant".

"I could mention that TNI elders like Zulkifli Lubis, Muhammad, General Magenda and General Abdul Kholiq Hasyim remain anonymous and have never been noted in history despite the fact that in 1945 they were the ones who established our intelligence services," Abdurrahman said.

"Therefore, I hope that those whose services have been really significant will eventually be recognized.

Later in the day, Speaker of the House of Representatives, Akbar Tandjung, told The Jakarta Post that the President's statement was "unnecessary" because it would only make military figures who had received awards feel uneasy.

"On such an occasion, he (Abdurrahman) should have spurred the soldiers' sense of pride instead of criticizing them like that," said Akbar, who was present in Cilangkap.

Also attending the ceremony were Vice President Megawati Soekarnoputri, TNI Chief Adm. Widodo Adisucipto and the three armed forces chiefs of staff.

Defense

Abdurrahman also came to the defense of the military, saying the nation had treated them "unfairly" -- an apparent reference to widespread criticism over the military's role in politics and accusations of human rights abuses leveled at the army.

"We ask much from them, but give nothing," he said.

"I, as the bearer of the people's mandate, pledge that the government will do what it can to give the best to TNI," Abdurrahman said.

On the eve of the celebration, Minister of Defense Mahfud MD voiced a similar appeal. He criticized people's endless condemnation of TNI, saying the nation should share the blame for the military's past mistakes.

Since Soeharto stepped down amid mass demonstrations in May 1998, the once all-powerful military has given up half its seats in the House, accepted a civilian defense minister, and ordered its members holding civilian office to retire from military service.

TNI will withdraw from the House in 2004 and fully shed its political role when it quits the People's Consultative Assembly in 2009.

In addition, the National Police, which used to be part of the armed forces, has been made into a separate institution, to underline the military's purely defensive role.

Observers at the parade noted that the ceremony was far less elaborate and shorter than in past years, without an air force jet flyover, marching bands and parachutists.(byg)