Page 236 - BUKU A CENTURY OF PARLIAMENTARY LIFE IN INDONESIA

DPR-RI DURING THE NEW ORDER:
STRENGTHENING THE ROLE OF THE STATE (1967-1998)

Indonesian citizens involved in the G30S-PKI was currently prepared to
consider their right to vote in the 1992 General Election.

There was another new feature in the 1992 election. This time, the govern-
ment required candidates for DPR members to undergo special research
to obtain a certificate of not being involved in any prohibited organization
(SKTT). After the results were processed, a recommendation from Ba-
korstanas (National Stability Assistance Coordination Agency) would be
issued to the police. Based on the recommendation, the police would is-
sue a certificate of non-involvement (SKTT) to the legislative candidates.

No less interesting than this period was, at the
suggestion of the ABRI faction itself, there was
a reduction in the members of the DPR-RI who
were appointed from ABRI from 100 to 75 people.
Since the 1990s, there had indeed been an inter- “The presence of ABRI
nal ABRI reform movement. This movement was
also called the ‘return to barracks’ movement or in the legislature did
the movement to change ABRI into a professional not only represent
army, and the return of the Police to a civilian se-
curity agency. This movement was initiated by the ABRI, but also carry
intellectual generals in ABRI. The final formula- out the tasks entrusted
tion of the bill that regulated the number of ABRI
members in the DPR was approved by the fac- to ABRI by the people.”
tions in Commission II of the DPR.

In fact, in 1992, when Indonesia started talking
about minimizing the number of ABRI members
in the DPR, Soeharto reacted strongly. It was im-
possible, he said, for ABRI to relinquish its political role and solely carry
out its military function. By accusing the academics of being unable to
understand the true meaning of dual function (Dwi Fungsi), Soeharto
gave guarantees to the officers, whom he called fellow officers and who
visited his farm in Tapos, West Java, that the presence of ABRI in the
legislature did not only represent ABRI, but also carry out the tasks en-
trusted to ABRI by the people. He reiterated that the dual function of the
Indonesian armed forces had a strong legal basis in addition to historical
reasons based on the history of the national struggle.

Likewise, the Government of Soeharto was still trying to dictate political
parties. In 1996, the capital city of Jakarta was rocked by the PDI-
Megawati Incident in Gambir, Jakarta. Only one month later, another

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