Jakarta – The Indonesian Military (TNI) is prepared to leave the House of Representatives (DPR) after the next elections in 2004, but insists on maintaining a presence in the People's Consultative Assembly (MPR).

TNI Commander Adm. Widodo A.S. told Assembly Ad Hoc Committee I for constitutional amendments on Friday TNI's stance was a signal of its wish to withdraw from politics and remain neutral in general elections.

But he stressed that the military, as part of the nation, also wished to participate in the Assembly, the country's highest law-making body, in deciding the nation's political development. "My proposal is based on objective conditions. I trust the ad hoc committee will decide on the necessity or otherwise of the TNI faction's presence in the MPR," he said.

Widodo said TNI members had the same political rights as civilians, namely the right to vote and be elected to office, but were determined not to exercise these rights. "If TNI members vote, they will vote for various parties, thus giving an impression of groupings within the institution. But if they set up their [own] political party, they will certainly vote for it, thus making them no longer neutral." The 1999 Law on Elections stipulates that TNI and the National Police, which have 400,000 members between them, are granted 38 seats in the House/Assembly under the TNI/National Police faction. But the Assembly decided in its general session last October to bar the military from the House beginning in 2004.

Under its dual function, TNI, whose members do not vote in elections, has participated directly in the government while maintaining its responsibility for national security. But the fall of former president Soeharto, a retired Army general, in May 1998 sparked demands for the military to leave politics entirely. The number of seats reserved for TNI in the legislature has been reduced gradually over recent years from 100 to the present 38.

In line with his proposal, Widodo suggested the MPR review Article 2 of the Constitution, which was amended last October, in order to pave TNI's way into the Assembly. The amended article stipulates that the Assembly comprises House legislators and regional and interest group representatives, who are all elected. "We think this article needs reviewing or additional explanation to make sure all elements of the nation are accommodated in the MPR," he said. The Assembly has 700 members, 500 of whom are House legislators.

Widodo also asked the ad hoc committee to consider reviewing Article 10 of the Constitution on the president's status as the supreme commander of the military, in order to avoid repeating past mistakes. He said as the head of state, the president had the power to deploy or use the military to safeguard his or her political decisions, but could not use the military for other political purposes.

Some ad hoc committee members said Widodo's remarks reflected TNI's continued refusal to leave the political arena. "Their rejection is natural because they have enjoyed political benefits for the past 32 years. They are trying to maintain their privileges," Asnawi Latief of the Muslim Community Awakening Party (PKU) said.

He suggested the Assembly treat TNI the same as it did civil servants, who cannot pursue politics unless they first resign. "It's better if military members are allowed to vote, but they must resign if they want to be elected as legislators," he said.

Julius Usman from the Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDI Perjuangan) labeled Widodo's statements "an old trick" to maintain the pivotal political role the military has played for three decades. Ali Maskur Musa from the National Awakening Party (PKB) was more cautious, saying the military's departure from the House should take place democratically. However, he did not elaborate on how this would be achieved.

In Yogyakarta, political observer Samsu Rizal Panggabean from Gadjah Mada University said Widodo's statements reflected TNI's halfhearted commitment to democratization. "In line with the reform agenda, all members of the next Assembly should be those elected in the general election. So there should be no appointees in the Assembly," he said.

Rizal suggested the next Assembly consist only of House legislators and regional representatives elected by provincial legislators. "The key is that anyone, civilians and military personnel, who intends to run for either the MPR or DPR must compete in the general election. That's how a democratic system must work. "We no longer want to hear TNI's reason that their presence in the MPR is needed for the sake of national unity."