TNI NOT TO INTERFERE IN BANK CENTURY CASE : COMMANDER

Jakarta, Jan 26 (ANTARA) - The Indonesian military (TNI) will not interfere in the Bank Century case because the matter lies in the domain of practical politics, TNI commander General Djoko Santoso said here on Tuesday.

"TNI is no longer involved in practical politics and therefore it will not interfere in or make any comment on it," he said after a TNI leadership meeting.

He said TNI's acts are based upon its authority, the constitution and Law Number 34 on TNI.

Regarding the current national political atmosphere that has heated up in connection with the Bank Century case and the planned massive rallies to be held by "Petisi 28" group, General Djoko said that the TNI would only act in accordance with its authority.

He said the rally to be done in connection with the completion of the first 100 days of the present government of President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono and Vice President Boediono and the Bank Century inquiry was a form of freedom of expression regulated by the law.

"Therefore, we hope it will be carried out according to the law and TNI will only act based upon its authority regulated by the law," he said.

He said under the civilian order, the responsibility for maintenance of public order and security rested on the shoulders of the national police.

"In case the situation turns into an emergency needing a change in the status, the TNI will also act to help the police according to its authority," he said.

Several community elements grouped in Petisi 28 plan to conduct a massive rally in the middle of this week with regard to the completion of the first 100 days of President Yudhoyono's government and in connection with the Bank Century bailout case.

The House of Representatives (DPR) has set up a special committee to investigate the government's decision to inject Rp6.7 trillion in 2008 to prevent the bank from collapsing.

Some people considered the decision benefiting certain parties while the government considered it important to save the country's financial system and economy in the midst of the global financial crisis then.

T.R018