ABRI can do no good<\/p>\n
It is only logical that lately the Indonesian Armed Forces
\n(ABRI) has become the center of political attention, combined
\nwith unfair criticism from several groups. ABRI is very active at
\nthis moment in trying to maintain law and order, which is now
\ngetting out of hand and sometimes needs harsh action.<\/p>\n
Even the President is aware of this situation and according to
\nThe Jakarta Post asked ABRI on Sept. 24 to act firmly. He said :
\n\"Our campaign for reform is being marred by political actions and
\nactivities which tend to put forward physical strength, through
\ndemonstrations or other activities which obstruct norms, rules
\nand ethics. To the rank and file of ABRI I instruct you to take
\npreventive and proactive steps and actions, combined with a wise
\nbut firm attitude, to immediately end the activities of either
\nindividuals or groups who are openly working to keep the
\nsituation in the country, uncontrollable, unsafe and unstable.\"<\/p>\n
At this moment ABRI is the only coherent force based on good
\norganization, with a clear line of command and strict discipline.
\nThis we cannot say of the political parties, even the mighty
\nFunctional Group (Golkar).<\/p>\n
At this moment we are witness to the fact that the community
\nis trying to dig up, all kinds of events, which can put ABRI in a
\nnot too positive situation, particularly in relation to the cases
\nof Tanjung Priok, Aceh, East Timor, Irian Jaya etc.<\/p>\n
Even young intellectuals in Jakarta join in the efforts to
\nridicule ABRI. A few weeks ago we saw a demonstration in front of
\nHotel Indonesia, carrying a banner (in English) saying \"We buy
\nguns for you and then you shoot us\". At the latest
\ndemonstration, held in front of the House of Representatives
\nbuilding there was a banner saying \"We are not shooting targets
\n(according to a report in Suara Pembaruan, Sept. 24).<\/p>\n
The community seems to forget the good humanitarian non-
\nmilitary activities ABRI has performed, such as the ABRI Masuk
\nDesa (ABRI helps villages). This is a program where the soldiers
\ncome into villages to do such activities as repairing roads,
\nbridges, school buildings, clean rivers to prevent floods, and
\nperform other civil works.<\/p>\n
People, or let us say more precisely political parties, look
\non ABRI as their rival in the Indonesian political game, which
\nof course is the wrong attitude.<\/p>\n
In Merdeka on Sept. 28 we can read about the infiltration of
\ngenerals into political parties only to defend the dual function.
\nThis was said by a certain Mr. Munir, an alumni of the faculty of
\nlaw at the Brawidjaja University. He further said that the steps
\ntaken by retired generals to enter political parties will weaken
\nthe political consciousness of the party, while actually the role
\nof political parties is to confront the dual function.<\/p>\n
The attack is mostly aimed at the existence of the dual
\nfunction, which according to some extreme groups should be
\nabolished, or according to more moderate groups should be
\ndiminished.<\/p>\n
I always say that the dual function must not be seen as an
\nexpression of power hungry military officers to play a
\npolitically dominant role, but as a form of dedication and
\nservice to the nation. ABRI has a saying: What is good for the
\npeople is also good for ABRI.<\/p>\n
If the people think that this dual function is not good, they
\ncan say so through their representatives in the House of
\nRepresentatives.<\/p>\n
Let us keep our heads cool and tackle pressing problems like
\nhigh prices of food stuffs and restoration of people's confidence
\nfirst and not waste our efforts trying to solve matters which can
\nwait.<\/p>\n
SOEGIH ARTO<\/p>\n
Jakarta<\/p>", "url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/abri-can-do-no-good-1447893297", "image": "" }, "sponsor": "Okusi Associates", "sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com" }