ABRI and civilians<\/p>\n
When I read in The Jakarta Post of Sept. 9, the statement made
\nby a well respected political scientist, Prof Dr Juwono
\nSudarsono, vice governor of the National Resilience Institute, I
\nwas surprised or, perhaps better, shocked.<\/p>\n
He said no civilian for the time being is fit to fill the
\nposition of president and that this position should still be in
\nthe hands of Armed Forces officers, especially those from the
\nArmy.<\/p>\n
The following day I read reactions in Kompas from Minister of
\nResearch and Technology B.J. Habibie, Coordinating Minister for
\nPolitical Affairs and Security Soesilo Soedarman, Prof Sutandyo
\nWignyosubroto MPA, member of the National Human Rights Body,
\nMinister Harmoko, Dr Yahya Muhaimin, dean from Gajah Mada
\nUniversity, and Gen.(ret) Rudini, all stating that civilians and
\nmembers of the Armed Forces have the same opportunity.<\/p>\n
I am a little confused though because The Jakarta Post of
\nSept. 10 on page 2 said that Yahya Muhaimin supported Juwono's
\nstatement, while earlier in Kompas he gave a different view.
\nWhich is correct Kompas or The Jakarta Post?<\/p>\n
My reaction to the statement of Prof Juwono is that there
\nshould be no difference between Armed Forces officers and
\ncivilians. I myself am a retired officer of the Armed Forces, and
\nhave served in civilian jobs including in a ministerial position,
\nambassador, advisory position to a civilian minister etc. My
\nexperience is that civilians have the same capability as Armed
\nforces officers, if given a fair chance.<\/p>\n
Give civilians the chance and opportunity to prove their worth
\nin an atmosphere of trust and confidence and we will be surprised
\nhow well they can perform their duties.<\/p>\n
The Armed Forces in their dual capacity, should act as loving
\nparents, who are preparing their children (civilians) to reach
\nmaturity and become independent, free from the tight control of
\nparents. Parents have the moral obligation to make their children
\nindependent, capable of mature thinking, and to step down in due
\ntime. That is my view of the dual function of the Armed Forces
\n(ABRI).<\/p>\n
I am convinced that ABRI do not want to cling to their present
\nposition and are working to create a compact and capable civilian
\ncorps, but civilians themselves must also show their guts and be
\nprepared to shoulder heavy responsibilities. Then the role of
\nABRI will diminish.<\/p>\n
Prof Juwono once said, \"If the number of professionals
\nincreases and they can compete with the Armed Forces in the
\nexecution of their individual state tasks nationwide then
\nnaturally the intensity of the role of ABRI will diminish.\"<\/p>\n
There are nine principles to the Armed Forces' dual function.
\nPrinciple No. 5 states that participation in active executive
\ngovernment activities is done only in the framework of
\nstabilization and dynamism; and principle No. 9 says that as long
\nas other people (civilians) can do it properly let them do it. So
\ngive civilians the chance and opportunity.<\/p>\n
On this very sensitive political topic, we have heard no
\ncomments so far from Armed Forces high officials. Perhaps their
\nopinion, personal or official, can help to bring some light to
\nthis issue.<\/p>\n
SOEGIH ARTO<\/p>\n
Jakarta<\/p>", "url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/abri-and-civilians-1447893297", "image": "" }, "sponsor": "Okusi Associates", "sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com" }