But it seems the call of profits was too strong. In 1997, Defense Minister Edi Sudrajat had to reiterate the edict. Suharto resigned as president last May, the calls for the military to withdraw from business grew louder. They are all rent-seekers. The government of President B.J. Habibie is already being forced to dismantle parts of the vast business empire built up by Suharto and his family.
Corporations controlled by the former president's ethnic Chinese cronies are under scrutiny.
State monopolies are being slowly taken apart. But reformers inside and outside the military argue that the businesses encourage corruption and violate the officers' oath. A military withdrawal can open up many opportunities for the private sector. Soldiers have their fingers in almost every industry. The navy, air force and police, as well as the reserve command Kostrad and elite commando unit Kopassus have their own empires.