|
|
Change Your Life! |
Parliament want Army rule |
|
News
|
|
|
August 15, 2000
JAKARTA (AP) - Despite calls for the military to get out of politics, Indonesia's highest legislature looked set Monday to allow the armed forces to keep their parliamentary seats, while delaying other constitutional amendments considered to be too contentious. In a controversial move, a People's Consultative Assembly committee recommended that the military's withdrawal from national politics be delayed for five years, until 2009. The committee's chairman Rambe Kamarulzaman said the major political parties have all agreed to allow the armed forces to retain their 38 seats in the 700-member assembly, the country's top lawmaking body, for a further nine years. But he said the security forces will lose their voice in parliament by 2004. For decades, the once all-powerful military held considerable political sway, but has since seen its power-base reduced by Wahid's civilian-led administration. Some legislators have said they are being railroaded by powerful generals, who are threatening to foment trouble in strife-torn Aceh, Maluku and West Papua provinces unless they are allowed to retain a political role. But leading military analyst Salim Said said the move was more of a reflection of Indonesia's weak civilian-led government, rather than a push by the military to retain its voice in the assembly. "The military have been a part of politics for so long," he said. "They can't be forced out over night, especially by a legislature that is highly divided." Defense Minister Juwono Sudarsono told reporters on Monday, that the armed forces will not attempt to retain their assembly seats after 2009. "The eventual goal is to eliminate entirely the representation of the military and the police," he said. The committee's recommendation goes before a full meeting of the assembly on Friday to be voted on. Outside the legislature on Monday, dozens of student protesters, carrying banners reading "Get the military back to the barracks," called on the 5w-bd forcres to get out of politics. Other groups also protested. One band of protesters called for former dictator Suharto to be tried for corruption. Another called on the lawmakers to support Wahid's administration. Dressed in little except traditional gourds covering their genitals, pro-independence activists from remote West Papua province waved separatist flags. The mood was festive and several police officers stood by but did not intervene. Other amendments to Indonesia's 1945 Constitution being debated at the moment look set to be delayed, due to squabbling between the legislators. One of the most controversial is a proposal to compel Muslims to follow Islamic sharia law. About 85 percent of Indonesia's 210 million people are Muslim, but most practice a moderate version of Islam. Analysts have warned that if the amendment is passed it could lead to Christian-dominated regions breaking away from Indonesia. Another contentious issue is a change to the election system, allowing the public to vote directly for their chosen head of state. At the moment, voters elect regional representatives, who then later choose the country's president and deputy. Wahid and Vice President Megawati Sukarnoputri are scheduled to return to parliament on Tuesday to hear the findings of the various committees discussing the constitutional amendments. The legislature is expected to wind up its current session on Friday. |