Jakarta – Pro-democracy activists, alarmed of strong signs of a reappearance of the military within politics, warned the Indonesian Military (TNI) on Monday not to enter the political contest, saying that this would be the biggest contribution it could make to democracy.
"TNI should restrain itself, not side with or support any political power and stay loyal to the civil government," Hendardi of the Indonesian Legal Aid and Human Rights Association (PBHI) read from the activists' Democratic Declaration in a media conference.
"TNI's comeback cannot provide an optimum solution to the current situation ... their involvement during past regimes hurt freedom, human rights and democracy. We reject any effort by the military to become involved in politics and ask people to stop considering them as the engine, stabilizer and catalyst in politics and democracy," Hendardi stated.
Munir from the Foundation of the Indonesian Legal Aid Institute (YLBHI) said recent media reports indicated that the TNI had identified themselves as an autonomous political power and had campaigned as a strategic actor in creating a united and peaceful country. "The political elite have opened the door for military involvement by seeking the force's support. Now we are asking for the military's commitment to their pledge, given at the beginning of the new government, that they will no longer participate in politics," he said.
Lawyer Todung Mulya Lubis also deplored the situation, saying it was a setback to the democratic process. "Reform is irreversible, we cannot go back to the past. It's wrong to allow the military back into the game and seize power, when politics has become a bargaining chip used by the military to aid their participation in the game. We should not let it happen, whatever the cost," he said.
Recently, senior military officers declared their political stance in rejecting President Abdurrahman Wahid's plans to declare a state of emergency and dissolve the legislature, which threatens to instigate proceedings that could lead to his impeachment.
The activists also warned the media not to tempt the military to be more active in voicing their political stance, arguing that it would have a boomerang effect because the military could later obtain the political power to close the media down.
Attending the press conference were several signatories to the declaration, including female activists Karlina Leksono and Smita Notosusanto, Binny Buchori of the International non-governmental organization (NGO) Forum for Indonesian Development, human rights activists Asmara Nababan, Ifdhal Kasim, Munarman and M.M. Billah, Teten Masduki of Indonesian Corruption Watch and political observer Arbi Sanit.