TNI's political card

TNI's political card

Hats off to the Indonesian Military (TNI) for playing its
political card right at the House of Representatives last week.
The TNI faction joined most other factions in the House in
censuring President Abdurrahman Wahid for his alleged involvement
in the Bulog and Brunei financial scandals. Contrary to the
President's expectation which he expressed a day earlier, TNI on
Thursday endorsed the House's Special Committee conclusion of an
inquiry into the two scandals which led to the censure motion.

No longer the dominant political force it once was,
there is no doubt that the military still yields some influence
over political processes in Indonesia. But it must use this
remaining political power wisely, lest it is accused once again
of becoming a mere tool of the powers that be, as it did for 32
years during the Soeharto regime. Use this influence wisely, as
it did at the House last week, and the military will surely and
gradually regain public respect and trust.

The TNI leadership should be commended for its deft handling
of what must have been a particularly awkward situation. On the
one hand, the military must continue to pledge its loyalty to the
President as TNI commander-in-chief. On the other hand, it must
show to the nation that it can use what remains of its political
powers wisely and responsibly. Militarily, TNI is responsible to
the head of state, but in discharging its political privilege, it
is answerable to the people. It must therefore always act in the
best interest of the nation, whatever fate befalls its commander-
in-chief.

The way out of this dilemma, as explained by the TNI
leadership, is for the military to continue to pledge its
allegiance to the presidency, but not to the political figure
occupying the office. This may appear euphemistic to some people,
but in this way, the military managed to distance itself from
President Abdurrahman Wahid when the latter faced the censure
motion at the House, while still professing to be loyal to the
head of state.

TNI came out of this messy political affair intact and with
dignity. This is the kind of political game that TNI should play
for as long as it remains active in politics, which is likely to
continue for a few more years as it is making a gradual and
dignified retreat from the political arena.

It was not long ago that the military's political activism
earned it the reputation of being the powerholders' bully. TNI's
deep involvement in political processes eventually came at the
expense of its reputation and credibility. When the Soeharto
regime crumbled in 1998, it dragged the military down with it. In
the last two years or so, TNI has been forced to drastically
scale back its political influence as part of its effort to
rehabilitate its name.

Today, TNI is led by a new generation of officers whose rise
through the ranks have nothing or little to do with their
connections to the President. Ironically this tradition to turn
the military into a fully professional and politically
independent force was made possible thanks in no small measure to
President Abdurrahman himself. He may not have had his way in
appointing all the top leaders in the military hierarchy, but he
was certainly responsible for phasing out some of the top brass
officers who have had close associations with the past regime.

Given the political mess that the country is in today, it
looks as if TNI has moved a lot faster than its civilian
counterparts in embracing the spirit of reform. There were of
course disturbing signs when every now and then TNI, or some of
its officers, were allegedly involved in some back room political
dealings to win concessions for themselves. Last week however
must be commended as a fine rare display of statesmanship by TNI
in using its political privilege. A few more of such fine
displays will ensure that the military, if and when it leaves the
political arena, will do so with grace.