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TNI Chief: Just a Matter of Time Before TNI is Under the Ministry of Defense
Thursday, 16 December, 2004 | 16:53 WIB

TEMPO Interactive, Jakarta:Indonesian Military (TNI) chief General Endriartono Sutarto has said that the TNI is ready to be placed under the ministry of defense ministry only if this was aimed at reaching a better democratic life.

The TNI is basically obliged to encourage the democratization process in Indonesia towards a better situation.

“We have never rejected the idea of placing the TNI under the ministry of defense if this is aimed at improving the democracy process in Indonesia. It’s just a matter of time,” said Sutarto following giving a speech to 119 Indonesian representative heads who will be appointed to 85 countries on Tuesday (14/12).

Since the reform era started five years ago, the TNI has carried out internal reforms.

According to Sutarto, these reforms indicate the changes of stance, attitude and paradigm in the TNI’s political role, the separation of the National Police from the TNI, the TNI’s commitment not to be involved in politics and the withdrawal of TNI members from parliament.