ABRI image on decline: Scholars<\/p>\n
JAKARTA (JP): Armed Forces favoritism of the wealthy will
\nworsen social problems unless the government repositions the army
\nas the guardian of all citizens, intellectuals warned yesterday.<\/p>\n
Riswandha Imawan and Achmad Noor urged the Armed Forces (ABRI)
\nto improve its image by servicing every citizen equally
\nregardless of their social status.<\/p>\n
The academics were commenting on a statement made this week by
\nMinister of Security and Defense Gen. (ret) Edi Sudrajat that
\nABRI is losing respect because it is \"favors the rich\".<\/p>\n
Edi also acknowledged that some wealthy people have bragged
\nthat they can \"use\" ABRI personnel to protect their business
\ninterests.<\/p>\n
The minister, who made the remarks in a conference organized
\nby Bakom -- a government-sponsored agency to facilitate the
\nsocial integration of minority groups, also put part of the blame
\non banks for favoring wealthy businessmen of Chinese descent when
\nissuing credit.<\/p>\n
\"The minister's statements were correct and accurate. ABRI now
\nshould look inwards,\" said Riswandha, a teacher of socio-
\npolitical science at Yogyakarta's Gadjah Mada University.<\/p>\n
Riswandha said that Edi's statement should serve as a reminder
\nthat the biggest danger facing the multi-ethnic and multi-
\nreligion Indonesia is conflict among the groups, which could lead
\nto disintegration.<\/p>\n
The problem is especially acute in a country where the
\ndistribution of wealth is so uneven.<\/p>\n
\"If ABRI members guard the (state-owned) electricity company
\ncompounds or an oil refinery, it is acceptable because the
\nfacilities are vital to the public.<\/p>\n
\"But it would be questionable if they guarded privately-owned
\nglass or textile plants,\" Riswandha said. He added that the
\nlatter example has led the public to believe that ABRI is moving
\naway from the poor masses.<\/p>\n
Meanwhile, Achmad Noor said the fact that a senior government
\nofficial has publicly acknowledged signs of the public's distrust
\nof ABRI indicates the gravity of the matter.<\/p>\n
\"ABRI, the government and the public should take the necessary
\nactions to safeguard the unity that the nation has painstakingly
\nbuilt over decades,\" he said.<\/p>\n
He stressed the need for the government to improve the welfare
\nof ABRI personnel so that they would not be tempted to kowtow to
\nwealthy businessmen.<\/p>\n
It will take decent remuneration for ABRI personnel to uphold
\ndiscipline, he said.<\/p>\n
Also yesterday, the Indonesian Legal Aid Foundation said that
\nthe public's perception of ABRI is formed by what they see around
\nthem everyday.<\/p>\n
The foundation's executive director, Mulyana W. Kusumah, said
\nthat ABRI started backing businesses many years ago when wealthy
\nbusinesses asked for \"security\" for their assets.<\/p>\n
He said they turned to ABRI members for their real physical
\npower.<\/p>\n
At the beginning, their collaboration did not raise any
\nfeathers but now, Mulyana said, they could destabilize the
\nnation.<\/p>\n
\"Edi Sudrajat's statement should serve as a reference for ABRI
\npolicymakers,\" he said.<\/p>\n
Edi's statement has received responses from all quarters, with
\nthe House of Representatives urging ABRI to put its own house in
\norder. (har\/pan)<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/abri-image-on-decline-scholars-1447893297",
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