Military involved to Politics = Time Bomb

By: Yoedi Karyono

The idea to involve the return of military (TNI) to politics and they are given the right to elect and be elected in the general election presented by President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono (SBY). However, this idea raises a variety of reactions, and certainly this idea to the next election can not be implemented. The reaction from the military itself is wait and see. Army''will comply with the rules issued and enforced in this country,''said the TNI Commander General Djoko Susanto, the same thing also delivered the Army Chief of Staff General George Toisutta.

The military has been more than 10 years, after this country out of the reform of politics, they no longer have representation in the House of Representatives (DPR) as an active military, and this country has experienced a bad situation when the military was given the position in Parliament, military become a tool ruler for 30 years are more supportive of government repression of Suharto.

''I do not understand why the military want to be drawn back into politics, what is not enough bitter experience of the state and this nation is under military rule. We're at the beginning of the reform has been a voluntary exit from politics, business and really become a pure military guarding the security of this country. Why now would be drawn back into politics,''said General (ret.) Wiranto.

General Wiranto, who is also a former military commander Wiranto and also in the era of the military is reorganized to not engage in practical political affairs and no longer engaged in the business. Reform''performed at the TNI has been successful even very successful, and entirely political and business affairs handed over to civilians. So why now would be involved again.''

General Wiranto, who is also Chairman Hanura Political Party (People's Conscience) feel less comfortable with the idea into the military involved in politics. The expected target''was not within one or two elections, and the idea to involve the return of TNI in politics is repeated over again.''

Wiranto said, the name of politics, power and wealth is very seductive and it's very possible to pull back the military into politics, and to run the political machine of course it costs quite a bit, then they will be given concessions in the economic field. This idea is very dangerous''.''

Former chairman of the People's Consultative Assembly (MPR) Amien Rais, who is also known as reform leaders also expressed strongly disagree with the involvement of active military back in politics. ''It's too dangerous active military involvement in politics, if the New Order era, the era of Soeharto they only support the Soeharto regime and that there is authoritarian rule for 30 years.''

Now, go Amien, with a different era, the era of this nation are learning democracy, and active military, that will be free to choose to support their respective parties, then that will happen is that the military will be divided, not only between forces but between personnel and that private parties will support each of the most likely provide for their welfare. ''This situation will be terrible and would be very prone to conflicts of interest that will eventually be very prone to extraordinary violence.''

However, political observers of the Indonesian Institute of Sciences (LIPI), Prof. Ikrar Nusa Bhakti of the opinion stated. Military''very legitimate entry into politics, it is the rights of citizens. How many of them, plus military police. The total number of them are not up to one million personnel.''

According to the pledge, at the beginning of this country stood up and only 10 years after the proclamation of independence, the first general pemiihan in 1955 and at that time involving the TNI and the police did not have a problem. ''Even the general election by the time it declared the elections the most democratic and very secure. Why are we afraid to do the same for the next election.''

Democrats as a loyal supporter of SBY is certainly very supportive of this idea. ''It's still a discourse of the president, the House please make discussion, it is necessary or not the military will be involved again in practical politics,''said Chairman Arnas Urbaningrum Democrat.

Political parties are divided in accepting the idea, the new party, among others Hanura and Great Indonesia Movement (grinder) led by former generals, and in the party they also have the former general who became administrator of the party, so do the Democrats. Yudhoyono himself was a former four-star general, and in every party in this country there is a former general who became an active committee of the party.

Former generals in this reform era, and those who still have a lot of potential and fresh thinking involved or even spoken for by political parties to take charge of the party,''Go right ahead as long as they've become punawirawan, they are civilians and have civil rights . But if the active military. Do not, what we have experienced less bitter experience.''

According to Amien, who is also very dangerous is the former generals who have influence in the active military, and he has the strength and economic influence, and they affect the active military to illegally support the policy and political maneuvering.

Active military into politics, and if it's really done, said Amien Rais, this is very scary. Look at the local elections, those who lose or are not satisfied with the results of the election and then take action anarchy, now that the military element is active and involved in what happened no more terrifying, they will be itching to use its military capability, even mandate that guns be used in accordance rules.

Long before, a variety of physical conflict between the forces, particularly police and army often happens, and it is often triggered only by a trivial issue, falling casualties on both sides, open warfare with the use of weapons they have done, and the result was terrible, and so on when military personnel personally involved small problem with the civil parties, the conduct of military retaliation by using the unit and also the weapon.

''I can not imagine. If the current situation, it is very prone to conflict and then drawn into the military in politics again, and they provide support to their respective political parties, then that will happen is incredible cleavage. Think wisely before involving the military into politics again, consider the advantages and disadvantages,''said Amien.

Involve active military into politics, as well as providing fuel to the fire, and it would be very out of control, and then will generate a very repressive government, and ultimately be very damaging democracy itself,''Countries that democracy has been running well certainly have a strong military and good. The main key to running a democratic government is the people's welfare, and welfare that still seems very far away. But ya do not then involve the military in politics again, this fact alone will add damage,''said Amien. (rainbowdiplomacy.com/photo:www.tniad.mil.id)