First row between President Susilo and parliament over Army chief
Jakarta (AsiaNews) The appointment of the new Army Chief of Staff sparked the first row between Indonesia's newly-elected President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono and the country's parliament, which is dominated by opposition parties who have a two thirds majority.
President Susilo wants to keep the incumbent, General Endriartono Sutarto, in the post. Opposition legislators want to see General Ryamizard Ryacudu replace Sutarto.
For some analysts, the attempt by the legislative branch to choose the top military brass is an abuse of authority and is politically motivated.
On October 8, outgoing President Megawati Sukarnoputri proposed the change. This week, President Susilo sent a letter to parliament announcing his intention to withdraw his predecessor's nominee. However, Megawati's supporters refused to do so.
Under General Suharto's dictatorship (1966-1998), the Armed Forces dominated Indonesian society. Their rule was defined by the dwi fungsi (dual function) doctrine of Suharto's New Order. Beside national defence, the military played a vital role in politics. This meant that military officers could occupy government positions. After 1998, the role of the military was reduced.
For many local political analysts and religious leaders, the military are involved in bloody separatist and inter-religious conflicts. They are suspected of having a broad strategy designed to create conditions that would favour the election of a president with a military background who could control the situation.
On the eve of the October 20 run-off, the leaders of the country's main religions told Army Chief of Staff General Sutarto "to ensure that the military would not interfere in the vote". (MH)
.png)
02/07/2020 09:59
