FORUM: The Socio-Political Role of the Indonesian Armed Forces

Responding to the strong challenges against the dual functions of the armed forces according to which Indonesian armed forces does not perform purely military function, but is also a socio-political forces with the right to actively participate in government, the self reformed Indonesian armed forces has produced a new approach called the "New Paradigm" which envisages a reduction of its legitimate political role. Now, the military has retained only 38 seats (used to be 100) in the House of Representatives. And as of April 1999, the practice of kekaryaan has also been eliminated. Military personnel are still allowed to hold their posts in civilian bureaucracy, local legislatures, and as regional executives, but they would have to retire from active duty. These moves marked a partial retreat of the socio-political role of the Indonesian armed forces.