ABRI at 51<\/p>\n
In size, the 500,000-strong Indonesian Armed Forces (ABRI),
\nwhich includes the police force, may be small considering the
\nsize of the country and the population. However, compared to the
\narmed forces of many other countries, its role is definitely much
\nbigger because it is not confined to security matters, but
\ninvolves social and political affairs as well.<\/p>\n
Formed in 1945, ABRI takes pride in calling itself a \"people's
\narmy\" that originated from the people and will always serve the
\npeople. ABRI officers often characterize ABRI's relations with
\nthe people as \"fish and water\", as fish can not live without
\nwater.<\/p>\n
Today, as ABRI celebrates its 51st anniversary with a colossal
\nplay depicting its history as a people's army, it is a good
\nopportunity to scrutinize how ABRI has played its role in the
\npast 51 years.<\/p>\n
Out of its very origins and from the key role which it played
\nduring the struggle for independence, ABRI developed the concept
\nof its dual function as a guardian of the country's security and
\nas a stabilizing force in the nation's social and political life.
\nThis concept has been formally adopted by the People's
\nConsultative Assembly and is therefore part of the national
\nconsensus.<\/p>\n
In the last several years, however, there have been people --
\nmostly students and some retired military officers -- who
\ncontinue to question this concept. It is generally believed that
\nthese questions do not concern the legality of the concept
\nitself, but rather the actual application of it. There are those
\nwho believe that the sociopolitical role of ABRI should be
\ncontinually adjusted to the level of progress which Indonesian
\nsociety has made.<\/p>\n
ABRI leaders have accepted this idea and as President Soeharto
\nhas said, ABRI will gradually move from an active leadership
\nposition to a guiding one and shift its role from that of a
\nstabilizer to that of a dynamic force. Steps towards this have
\nalready been taken, among other things, by the reduction of the
\nnumber of seats reserved for ABRI from 100 to 75 in the national
\nlegislature.<\/p>\n
Still, in recent years, questions have been raised -- notably
\nby certain outspoken retired generals -- on ABRI's relations with
\nthe people. Some have complained that instead of being consistent
\nin taking the side of the people, ABRI is gradually becoming
\nalienated from the people. Others have argued that ABRI should
\nstand in the middle, not align itself with a political
\norganization and take a neutral stand in the general elections.<\/p>\n
Critics also complain that in its endeavor to preserve
\nstability, ABRI has been too rigid in implementing the security
\napproach, which has resulted in an overly security-oriented
\npolicy that tends to see an enemy behind every corner.<\/p>\n
We believe such criticism is constructive, that it bears no
\nmalice and that it should be received accordingly. The call made
\nby Gen. A.H. Nasution, one of the founders of ABRI, for the Armed
\nForces to \"return to the people's fold\" should be seen in such a
\npositive light.<\/p>\n
Many are also be concerned about the fact that a growing
\nnumber of people, notably from the younger generation, seem to be
\ngradually losing confidence in ABRI. One occasionally reads in
\nthe newspapers about instances in which soldiers or police
\nofficers are stoned or attacked by mobs of people. Fortunately,
\nsuch incidents do not occur frequently or widely. Still, the
\ngrowing number of such cases is cause for alarm because it shows
\nhow people who should feel secure and at peace in the presence of
\nABRI members are now in some instances getting nervous and
\nsometimes even feel hostile towards ABRI personnel. The harsh and
\nsometimes even improper use of violence in cases where ABRI has
\nhad to deal with peaceful protesters has not helped to boost
\nABRI's image among the people.<\/p>\n
This anniversary, we believe, provides a good impetus for our
\nArmed Forces to take stock of its past journey through our
\nnation's history. Certainly in past years, ABRI has rendered us
\nall a great service by preserving the country's stability and
\nunity. In the future, Indonesians will continue to look to ABRI
\nfor maintaining these. But new situations bring new challenges
\nand history will record how ABRI copes with the problems that lay
\nahead.<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/abri-at-51-1447899208",
"image": ""
},
"sponsor": "Okusi Associates",
"sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com"
}