Veteran generals star in campaign teams

A. Junaidi, Jakarta

With the unprecedented direct presidential election turning into a battle of wits, candidates have resorted to the help of retired generals.

Their presence seems to confirm the significant -- if not dominant -- role the military still holds, despite the reform movement and its formal exit from national politics under a civilian government.

Further, three of the aspirants -- Gen. (ret) Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono, Gen. (ret) Wiranto and Gen. (ret) Agum Gumelar -- each have experience on the battlefield, such as in East Timor and as territorial commanders, as do their star-studded campaign teams.

The Democratic Party's Susilo-Kalla team has four retired generals, including Lt. Gen. (ret) M. Ma'roef, the former territorial chief of staff of the Indonesian Military (TNI), while the Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle's (PDI-P) Megawati-Hasyim team has two retired generals.

The Golkar Party's Wiranto-Solahuddin campaign team has six retired generals on their team, including former Pattimura Maluku commander Lt. Gen. (ret) Suaidi Marassabessy.

Suaidi acknowledged the veterans were called up due to their vast military experience.

"The campaign team benefits much from our military expertise and in particular, our territorial experiences," he told The Jakarta Post.

The National Mandate Party's (PAN) Amien-Siswono team has one veteran, while the United Development Party's (PPP) Hamzah-Agum team is assisted by three retired generals, including Lt. Gen. (ret) Yunus Yosfiah, who was minister of information under the administration of B.J. Habibie.

The retired generals hold a key role in the campaign teams and are tasked with preparing strategy, countering rival issues, determining targets, conducting territorial programs, arranging logistics.

However, Suaidi denied that the structure and terminology used by the Golkar campaign team was military-based.

"The Golkar Party prepared all the structure; we are merely filling in the posts," he said.

Sociologist and political observer Imam B. Prasodjo of the University of Indonesia said the presence of the retired generals could backfire on the candidates.

"Using a militaristic approach, including the application of military terminology and strategy, could be counterproductive against the widespread demand for reform. A militaristic style will adversely affect the image of the presidential candidates," he told the Post.

Under former president Soeharto, the Indonesian Military (then ABRI) and the National Police served the interests of the state, and many generals had held prominent political posts as his ministers and governors.

After Soeharto's ouster in May 1998 and the installment of a civilian government, the military's place in national politics was rescinded.

Starting this year, the military and police factions in both the House of Representatives (DPR) and the People's Consultative Assembly are to be dissolved.

;JP; ANPAx..r.. Campaign-veterans-team Veterans on campaign teams JP/03/

Veterans on campaign teams

Stars Name Last military position
1. Susilo-Kalla (Democratic Party)
**** Gen. (ret) Edi Sudrajat ABRI chief
**** Adm. (ret) Widodo A.S. TNI chief
*** Lt. Gen. (ret) M. Ma'roef TNI territorial chief of staff
** Maj. Gen. (ret) Djali Iskandar Muda (Aceh) commander,

Yusuf TNI-Army

2. Megawati-Hasyim (PDI-P)
** Maj. Gen. (ret) Theo Udayana Bali commander, ABRI

Sjafei
** Maj. Gen. (ret) R.K. Trikora Irian Jaya commander,

Sembiring Meliala ABRI

3. Wiranto-Solahuddin (Golkar)
**** Gen. (ret) Fachrul Rozi TNI deputy chief
*** Lt. Gen. Budi Harsono TNI/police faction chairman, DPR
*** Comr. Gen. (ret) Nurfaizi Jakarta Police chief
*** Lt. Gen. (ret) Suaidi Pattimura Maluku commander, TNI

Marassabessy

4. Hamzah-Agum (PPP)
*** Lt. Gen. (ret) Yunus Social/political affairs chief,

Yosfiah ABRI
*** Lt. Gen. (ret) Andi Ghalib ABRI martial court president
* Brig. Gen. (ret) A. Wahab TNI spokesman

Mokodongan

5. Amien-Siswono (PAN)
* Maj. Gen. (ret) Suwarno Assistant to ABRI social/

Adiwijoyo political affairs chief

Note:
Pre-reform military: ABRI
Post-reform military: TNI