DATE=1/19/2000
TYPE=BACKGROUND REPORT
TITLE=INDONESIA / MILITARY
NUMBER=5-45263
BYLINE=ZUL TAJIBNAPIS
DATELINE=WASHINGTON
CONTENT=
NOT VOICED:
INTRO: With the election last year of Abdurrahman
Wahid as president, Indonesia has entered a new era of
civilian government, but analysts are now debating
what role the military will have in the country's new
political environment. VOA's Zul Tajibnapis has a
report.
TEXT: During his more than 30 years of authoritarian
rule, former President Suharto gave great leeway to
the military, eventually allowing it to become the
single most powerful group in national politics. No
political party, civil organization or institution
dared to challenge the military for fear of
repression.
But with the end of the Suharto era, the military's
dominance is now being questioned, especially the
doctrine of "dwi-fungsi" - or dual-functions. Under
this doctrine, the military had been permitted to
involve itself in all aspects of Indonesia's political
affairs, from the smallest village to the cabinet and
the parliament.
A defense analyst at the Center for Strategic and
International Studies in Jakarta, retired Admiral
Sunardi, says that during the Suharto years dwi-fungsi
had always been part of the Indonesian army's military
doctrine, but he says it was not as far-reaching as
some people believed. The military would engage in
non-military activities, he says, but not necessarily
in political activities.
Salim Said, professor of political science at the
University of Indonesia, say he believes dwi-fungsi as
an official doctrine has now been abandoned, but that
does not mean, he says, that the military's power is
greatly diminished.
/// SAID ACT ///
But in reality, the military is still powerful,
especially because civilians are not yet in
firm control of the country. In this situation,
it will be very difficult to establish a
civilian supremacy vis-a-vis the military that
has been in politics since 1945.
/// END ACT ///
According to Bilveer Singh, an Indonesian specialist
at the University of Singapore, the doctrine of dwi-
fungsi is basically still applicable despite the
dramatic turn to civilian rule in Indonesia.
/// SINGH ACT ///
They (the Indonesian Army) have responded to
changes positively, but society, to a large
extent, is still very suspicious of its
intention, primarily because most people view
the military to be behind most of the happenings
in the country. The suspicion and unease
continue. Even though there is a new political
setup in Indonesia, in my view, it will still be
a long time before you can totally disregard the
military.
/// END ACT ///
The military is under intense domestic and
international scrutiny over past human rights abuses.
A government-appointed panel has accused General
Wiranto, the present Coordinating Minister for
Security and Political Affairs, and other top
commanders of complicity in the violence that erupted
in East Timor following last August's referendum in
the territory for independence.
Some of Indonesian's top generals were reported to be
angry because of the possibility of prosecution for
human rights abuses in East Timor. There were also
reports some members of the Indonesian military were
planning a coup against the government. The United
States has expressed concern over the reports. Richard
Holbrooke, the U-S Ambassador to the United Nations,
said in New York the generals would do great harm to
their country if they attempt to overthrow President
Abdurrahman Wahid.
Political scientist Singh, who is author of a book on
the future of the Indonesian army, says he doubts the
Indonesian military plans to seize power from the
civilian government. After all, he says, they had a
good opportunity to do so when Mr. Suharto resigned.
/// SINGH ACT ///
If the military wants to take over, they could
have taken over on the nineteenth of May 1998.
They were so close, but they did not take over.
Why? Because I think the new military generation
of leaders, I do not think they really believe
in coup d'etat. It will be more costly for the
military to take over than to work with the
civilian.
/// END ACT ///
Since taking office in October, President Abdurrahman
Wahid has asserted civilian control over the military.
Last week, he ordered the firing of a general who
questioned his authority. But, at the same time, he
recognizes the crucial role of the military in
controlling unrest. He recently ordered military
reinforcement to the islands of Maluku to help quell
violence between Christians and Muslims.
The analysts say that with tensions rising in Maluku
and many other parts of Indonesia, it is vitally
important that the country's civilian and military
leaders must develop new ways to work together.
(Signed)
NEB/ZT/KL
19-Jan-2000 08:43 AM EDT (19-Jan-2000 1343 UTC)
NNNN
Source: Voice of America
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