A plea to Gen. Wiranto<\/p>\n
People's way of celebrating Independence Day in past years was
\nso lively with various activities ranging from community
\nvolleyball matches to big prize games sponsored by the private
\nsector.<\/p>\n
This year, however, such activities have decreased in quantity
\nand quality. This is mainly because of people's traumatic May
\nriot experiences. It is such a shame that the unique Indonesian
\nway of celebrating Independence Day has to be eliminated because
\nof the fear of massive riots.<\/p>\n
Having said that, there have been rumors claiming that further
\nrioting may explode in the days leading up to or after
\nIndependence Day on Aug. 17. These rumors can be read on the
\nInternet and can be spread by word of mouth. Like any other
\nrumor, the validity of this rumor is doubted. But on the other
\nhand, a rumor must have some source. Whichever, the possibility
\nof rioting breaking out is very real considering the political
\nand economic situations in our country. Both are far from stable.<\/p>\n
This is disadvantageous to our country since many people have
\nfled the country in search of a secure place to live. It is an
\nembarrassment that Indonesia is a very dangerous place to live.
\nMoreover, our economy cannot become stable if foreign countries
\nlabel Indonesia an unsafe country.<\/p>\n
This is where the military plays a part. The Armed Forces
\n(ABRI) has to play its \"long gone\" role as a people's army. An
\ninstitution where the people reign, not like ABRI's role in the
\nNew Order under Soeharto.<\/p>\n
With people still living in fear, we beseech ABRI to protect
\npeople and make Indonesia a secure place to live. This is also a
\nchance for ABRI to regain popularity. Learning from past
\nexperiences, there are indications of how ABRI has misused its
\nrole and legalized policies made by the Soeharto regime to
\nsuppress the population. Until now, ABRI's reputation has eroded
\nbecause due to indications that it was involved in the July 27,
\n1996 riot, the shooting of four Trisakti students, the death of a
\nstudent in Yogyakarta earlier this year, and the May riots that
\ncaused losses of billions of rupiah.<\/p>\n
On behalf of the people of the Republic of Indonesia, we plead
\nwith Gen. Wiranto as the minister of defense and security\/ABRI
\ncommander to get the military back to its original function,
\nwhich is to protect the people. Don't let the population live in
\nfear, don't ever misuse the power invested in the military to
\nsuppress the people. Prove that ABRI can really protect its
\npeople by giving them maximum security.<\/p>\n
As for the people, regardless of the rumors about forthcoming
\nriots, we must increase neighborhood watch activities. With or
\nwithout ABRI's support, we must retain stability in our
\nneighborhoods by patrolling in daily shifts.<\/p>\n
DR. WIKU ADISASMITO<\/p>\n
Executive Director<\/p>\n
PELANGI Indonesia<\/p>\n
Jakarta<\/p>", "url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/a-plea-to-gen-wiranto-1447893297", "image": "" }, "sponsor": "Okusi Associates", "sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com" }