TNI's presence in MPR not good for democracy: Analysts

JAKARTA (JP): Analysts are questioning the possible "compromise" that would amend the 1945 Constitution and enshrine the Indonesian Military/National Police presence in the People's Consultative Assembly (MPR).

Political observer Arbi Sanit condemned politicians' acceptance of the military presence in the Assembly through an amendment, describing it as a dangerous and cowardly act.

"It's very dangerous because the military is already very strong even without explicit articles in the Constitution defining their political role," he said over the telephone.

Arbi noted that the amendment would directly defy a previous Assembly decree to phase out the military's presence.

"There's already an Assembly decree stipulating a gradual phasing out of military presence in MPR and DPR (House of Representatives). But now the politicians are going to give a permanent place to the military," he told The Jakarta Post.

"It's enough for the military to stay until 2004. They will ask for more if we let them linger," he added.

He also rejected the argument that the military's presence was to channel the military's political aspirations.

"What political aspirations? They have said they won't get involved in politics any longer. This is a back and forth game, they're (politicians) licking their own spit," he said.

"It's the politicians who have to be blamed for drafting such an amendment. They should be ashamed of themselves, especially to the students," he added, explaining that the politicians had cheated the students.

Under the current draft amendment, the presence of a military/police faction would be ensured by the inclusion of a paragraph which describes the composition of the Assembly as made up of the House of Representatives augmented by certain groups who, due to their tasks and responsibilities do not use their right to vote.

Arbi said the politicians have forgotten the essence of true reform.

"Perhaps because they already have received lavish facilities provided by the state, they seem to forget the lives of our students taken by the military during the reform turmoil," he said.

"The politicians are cowards. They already have the power to decide whatever is good for the country yet they bowed to pressure, if there was any," added Arbi.

Political analyst Mochtar Pabottingi also described possible acceptance of such an amendment as a blatant betrayal to the reform ideas and to people's sovereignty.

"It's absolutely a major setback. I wonder how a draft like that can make its way in. It's such a stupid idea to legalize the presence of the military in the Assembly," he said.

"I'm disappointed with Assembly Speaker Amien Rais for not controlling the amendment drafts. He should have controlled it," Mochtar charged, while saying it was solid proof indicating that elements loyal to the New Order were still influential.

Eleven youth organizations grouped in the National Forum of Indonesian Youth (FKPI) also expressed their rejection of the military/police presence in the Assembly.

"Maintaining their seats will only mean a major political setback," FKPI chairman Syaiful Bahri Anshori said at a media conference.

Earlier the Indonesian Legal Aid and Human Rights Association (PBHI) also lamented the proposed amendment to legally place the military/police in the Assembly.

"Their political position in the Assembly will only cause chaos in our state law," chairman Hendardi said in a written statement.

"They are under, and report to the president so it is illogical if they have to evaluate the president's accountability speech, who is practically their superior," he added.

Hendardi also said providing legitimacy to the military's political position can only mean a failure of democracy.

"We can't build democracy if those who have guns also have political power. At the same time, it will also put human rights in danger," he said.

"The military and police will have a bargaining position with the president to make decisions related to human rights issues if they are allowed to retain the seats," added Hendardi, while saying the servicemen had the permanent possibility to violate human rights. (nvn)