ABRI needs 'new format' for political role<\/p>\n
MAGELANG, Central Java (JP): Domestic and international
\nchanges affecting Indonesia represent a challenge for the Armed
\nForces to seek a \"new format\" for its involvement in the
\npolitical arena, according to a military observer.<\/p>\n
\"Bad decisions could bring disaster to Indonesia,\" according
\nto Salim Said in a discussion held here yesterday.<\/p>\n
The Armed Forces (ABRI) applies a concept called Dwifungsi or
\ndual-function, which allows it to have a great say in the social
\npolitical affairs in addition to its security and defense role.<\/p>\n
Over the years, many observers have criticized ABRI as
\ndabbling too much in politics and called for a revision in the
\ndual-function concept.<\/p>\n
The discussion, opened by Armed Forces (ABRI) Chief Gen.
\nFeisal Tanjung, was held to commemorate the 40th anniversary of
\nthe Military Academy in Magelang. The other speakers were
\nmilitary observer Maj. Gen. (ret) Z.A. Maulani, former ABRI chief
\nof sociopolitical affairs Lt. Gen. Syarwan Hamid and scholar
\nKoento Wibisono Siswomihardjo.<\/p>\n
\"Wrong responses to the changes... could lead to a damaging
\nsystem of political leadership, and this could be fatal for both
\nABRI and Indonesia,\" he said.<\/p>\n
Salim described how successes in development programs at home,
\nalong with the collapse of communism in other countries, have
\nencouraged Indonesians to be more outspoken in their demands.<\/p>\n
They demand not only the fulfillment of their physical needs
\nand basic rights, but also the freedom of expression, for self-
\ndetermination and democratization.<\/p>\n
\"In political terms, these are called demands for
\nparticipation,\" said Salim.<\/p>\n
Salim also described the civilian leadership as undergoing a
\ntransition.<\/p>\n
\"Civilian leaders are not yet able to fully manage the country
\nalone, while the problems facing the state and the people are so
\ncomplicated that ABRI cannot deal with them singlehandedly
\neither,\" Salim said.<\/p>\n
Maulani said a leader should be knowledgeable, competitive,
\nhave integrity, and have been shaped through strong discipline
\nand a spartan life.<\/p>\n
\"This person should possess a combination of intellectual and
\nphysical strength,\" he said.<\/p>\n
\"Without morality, intellectual and physical strength will
\nonly give birth to a robber, while physical strength without
\nintellectual and moral strength means that this person is no more
\nthan a water buffalo.<\/p>\n
\"If you had only moral strength without any intellectual and
\nphysical strength, you might as well become a hermit, not an
\nofficer,\" Maulani said. (23\/swe)<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/abri-needs-new-format-for-political-role-1447893297",
"image": ""
},
"sponsor": "Okusi Associates",
"sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com"
}