TNI told to serve state, not leaders

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)