Former TNI Leader Establishes a Party
Friday, 22 December, 2006 | 14:28 WIB

TEMPO Interactive, Jakarta: The former Defense and Security Minister and Indonesian Armed Force (ABRI now TNI) Commander Gen. Wiranto appears to want to follow other TNI leaders of stepping into politics by founding a party, such as Gen. (retired) R. Hartono and late Gen. (retired) Edi Sudradjat did.

Yesterday (21/12), in a luxurious ceremony, Wiranto together with several former military leaders and notables who joined other parties, declared the People's Conscience Party (Hanura) in Jakarta. A number of former military leaders and civil notables were listed on the party's management.

In the head posts, there are the names of former TNI Army Chief of Staff Gen. (retired) Subagyo Hs; former ABRI Deputy Commander Gen (retired) Fachrul Razi; former TNI Navy Chief of Staff Admiral (retired) Bernard Kent Sondakh, former National Police (Polri) Chief Gen. Chaeruddin Ismail; Lieutenant Gen. (retired) Ari Mardjono and several other former military leaders.

The declaration that had around 4,000 Hanura cadres was also attended by some national notables including former president Abdurrahman Wahid; former vice president Try Sutrisno, former House of Representatives (DPR) Chairman Akbar Tandjung, Justice and Prosperity Party (PKS) Chairman Tifatul Sembiring, former Indonesia Democratic Party of Struggle (PDI-P) leader Kwik Kian Gie and former TNI Army Chief of Staff Gen. (retired) Ryamizard Ryacudu.

In his speech, Wiranto—who failed in his run for office of President in the 2004 Election, said the Hanura Party was founded to answer the pitiable state living conditions of the poor. Reformation which has been in force for eight years and the government with altering leaderships, he said, cannot make Indonesian people's lives better.

In the meantime, Governor of National Defense Institute (Lemhanas) Muladi asked small parties not to change themselves easily. According to him, it is better that they merge with other parties in order to obtain society's support. “Whether it's viable or not, let the public test that,” he said.

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