Tyasno denies politics behind any reshuffle
JAKARTA (JP): In the latest denial of a purge in the Indonesian Military (TNI), Army Chief of Staff Gen. Tyasno Sudarto warned people against linking any replacements in the military to politics.
Tyasno said during his visit to the headquarters of the Army Strategic Reserves Command (Kostrad) Infantry Division I in Cilodong, Bogor, West Java, that there was no political motives behind an officer's promotion or rotation, saying such moves were simply meant to improve the military's performance.
"A tour of duty is very common in any organization, including TNI. So let's stop speculating," Tyasno said.
He was commenting on reports that a major reshuffle was in the works for the TNI, with an aim of minimizing the influence of its former chief Gen. Wiranto and his allies.
Tyasno said the rumors would adversely affect "the internal development of TNI".
The recent appointments of non-Army officers to positions traditionally held by the Army raised many eyebrows. Among the surprise appointments were Air Rear Marshal Ian Santoso Perdanakusumah to replace Tyasno as chief of the TNI intelligence agency, and Air Rear Marshal Graito Usodo, who took over as TNI spokesman from Maj. Gen. Sudrajat.
Graito was installed in his new post by TNI Commander Adm. Widodo A.S. on Tuesday.
Sudrajat, who will serve as the finance and economy assistant to Widodo, said in his farewell speech TNI should maintain its commitment to neutrality in the face of political rivalries and prolonged violence in the country.
"TNI has committed to taking an equal distance from all parties in a bid to uphold a civil society," he said.
A senior military observer, Lt. Gen. (ret) Hasnan Habib, supported Sudrajat's sentiments. Speaking at a seminar on militarism, Hasnan said TNI's intervention in politics would prevent the nation from maturing and implementing democracy.
"Democracy entrusts politics to civilians, meaning civilians dominate the military," Hasnan, a former TNI chief of sociopolitical affairs and ambassador to the United States, said.
He said TNI should complete its internal reform by stepping down from the political stage and focusing on its role of defending the nation in order to enhance its professionalism and neutrality.
"The military should immediately stop seeking civilian posts in the bureaucracy for its best talents and leave the House of Representatives," he said.
Hasnan said the recent barrage of criticism leveled at the military was a result of the organization's past errors.
"Therefore the completion of internal reform in the military organization is urgent to bring TNI back to its original defensive function. The military should accept the fierce criticism not as a denunciation but, and mainly, as moral support from the people," he said.
He suggested civilians help the military carry out its reform. "Without moral support, both the military and the National Police will be unable to take stern measures against violence and other crimes for fear of being accused of human rights abuses."
He was apparently referring to security personnel deployed to Maluku and North Maluku to quell sectarian violence. It has been suggested by some that the security personnel were hesitant to take action for fear of being accused of rights abuses.
When asked about recent rumors of a possible military coup, Hasnan hailed TNI leaders' pledge of allegiance to President Abdurrahman Wahid's government.
"It is impossible for the military to attempt a coup because in accordance with its doctrine, TNI owes its origin to the people and has to protect them.
"If the military take over the government, TNI will be divided and this will certainly jeopardize the existence of the Indonesian state," he said. (rms)