TNI/Police and politics

TNI/Police and politics

The Indonesian Military (TNI) and Police have decided to return to their roots, as defense and security institutions to serve the country. They have decided to quit (practical) politics, an issue which they have been wrestling with for more than 50 years.

The chairman of the TNI/Police faction at the People's Consultative Assembly (MPR), Slamet Supriyadi has stressed that the TNI/Police stance was based on the awareness of the recent demand for decentralization and demilitarization.

It is a fact that the TNI and Police have an abundance of knowledgeable people with regard to politics, the economy and social affairs and culture.

As servicemen they must concentrate on their own fields, security and defense. But, after they retire they could contribute to the country by offering their experience.

As they have been involved in practical politics and have filled various strategic positions in past and current administrations (at all levels), they are, by any definition, very experienced. However, they carry out their duties and make decisions based upon militaristic rules, without providing civilian leaders with the space to develop a civil democracy.

Now that the TNI and Police will withdraw from practical politics, the civilians, including their institutions (like the Assembly), must prepare themselves as well as possible so as not to be exploited by the government.

The lack of experience shown by most current civilian leaders is evidenced by the poorly managed legislative institutions, both at central and regional levels.

-- Republika, Jakarta