ABRI must return to basics<\/p>\n
From Sinar Pagi<\/p>\n
It seems a long way still before the expectations and the
\nwishes of the community that the Armed Forces (ABRI) should be
\ntreated more proportionally can be properly fulfilled. A decree
\nof the People's Consultative Assembly (MPR) has recently even
\nconfirmed the presence of ABRI members in the MPR and also in the
\nHouse of People's Representatives (DPR).<\/p>\n
Given the fact that the ABRI community is only a "minority"
\namong some 200 million people making up the civilian community,
\nit is highly inappropriate to continue granting privileges to
\nABRI. Such privileges should now be history. ABRI members of the
\n1945 generation do have the right to enjoy this privilege because
\nthey were really involved in the struggle against the colonial
\nrule.<\/p>\n
However, post-1945 ABRI members should no longer be granted
\nspecial treatment, such as direct appointment as legislators in
\nthe DPR or appointment to various political positions which
\nshould otherwise go to civilians. ABRI has gone too far beyond
\nthe limit of tolerance.<\/p>\n
Not only does ABRI have to reduce its socio-political role,
\nbut it also has to leave the business arena. ABRI must side with
\nthe people in, for example, land appropriation cases and also in
\nmany other cases involving the interests of a lot of people. In
\nland cases, for example, ABRI has usually sided with big
\nbusinessmen,indigenous and non-indigenous. Many strategic plots
\nof land owned by ABRI have changed hands and now belong to big
\nbusinessmen.<\/p>\n
The plot of land in Tanah Abang Bukit, owned formerly by the
\nair force, now belongs to a group of businessmen. Likewise, a
\nplot of land in Glodok, which used to belong to the police, now
\nbelongs to certain private circles. The plot of land on which
\nJatinegara Plaza now stands in East Jakarta formerly belonged to
\nthe army. And another plot of land in Pancoran, formerly owned by
\nthe air force headquarters, is now controlled privately. Last but
\nnot least, the land where the Jakarta Police are now
\nheadquartered will soon change hands too.<\/p>\n
If ABRI cannot maintain control over its own assets, how can
\nit be expected to protect the people's "motherland" against
\ncolonialism and land speculators as was the case in Kedung Ombo?<\/p>\n
ABRI (particularly its officers) seems to enjoy special
\ntreatment in this republic. In fact, civilian people shed blood
\nto fight for the Republic of Indonesia. Truthfully, there is
\nnothing special which can warrant the extension of privileges to
\nABRI. Is ABRI entitled to privileges simply because it carries
\narms? However, this does not seem to be a logical reason.<\/p>\n
If arms are the criterion, then some civilian experts in
\nweapon-making deserve special treatment from this republic much
\nmore so than ABRI.<\/p>\n
The granting of privileges to ABRI can only arouse envy on the
\npart of civilians and will only make ABRI more and more alien to
\nthe conscience of the people. Therefore, ABRI should now return
\nto the fold of the people.<\/p>\n
MUHAMMAD UMAR ALKATIRI<\/p>\n
Jakarta<\/p>", "url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/abri-must-return-to-basics-1447893297", "image": "" }, "sponsor": "Okusi Associates", "sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com" }