University recommends Supreme Advisory Board dissolution

YOGYAKARTA (JP): Gadjah Mada University has recommended the dissolution of the Supreme Advisory Board on the grounds that it overlapped with other state agencies.

A proposal released on Saturday by the university's team created to draw up political recommendations said the Supreme Advisory Board's function was unclear.

"To clarify power management in the country, Gadjah Mada University suggests the dissolution of the Supreme Advisory Board," said Riswandha Imawan, a politics professor and team member. The suggestion is part of Gadjah Mada University's (UGM) suggestions in a handbook titled Political Democratization. It was presented to journalists by Ichlasul Amal, the university's rector.

Also attending the media conference were 11 lecturers from the university's School of Social and Political Sciences who make up the team. In addition to Riswandha, they include Mohtar Mas'oed, Warsito Utomo, and Samsu Rizal Panggabean.

UGM also cited human rights violations which they said were committed by the military due to a lack of civilian control over the military and the intelligence agencies.

Ichlasul cited the recently revealed abuses such as the abductions and tortures in various places, including Aceh, North Sumatra as examples. "A requirement of reform toward democracy is to restrain the military's role in politics," Ichlasul said.

The military, he added, should return to its essential role of defending the nation. Mohtar added that the numerous reports of stolen fish and smuggling proved that national defense mechanisms were still weak.

Mohtar said the military should be strong to enable it to defend the country's natural resources. "But not to take care of farmers, electricity, taxes and politics."

"This is the result of the improper role of the military. Some of the personnel are used for the authorities' interests," he added.

Riswandha also noted that the realignment of the military's role to defend the country without entering social and political life would support the creation of a civil society and democracy.

He said the military's role had made democracy "stagnant" because the whole nation was under its control. "Civilians haven't had a chance to learn about democracy."

In the 47-page publication, UGM also urged the bolstering of the Supreme Audit Agency's provincial branches, claiming that at present they could not work effectively. Besides having too few personnel, the Agency "does not have any autonomy", the report said. (44/01)