'ABRI will help boost democracy'<\/p>\n
JAKARTA (JP): The participation in politics of the Indonesian
\nArmed Forces (ABRI) will enhance democracy, rather than lead to
\nauthoritarianism, President Soeharto said yesterday.<\/p>\n
\"We are resolved to prove that the role of ABRI as soldiers
\nand fighters will not lead to a militaristic, authoritarian or
\ntotalitarian government,\" Soeharto, ABRI's supreme commander,
\nsaid in a speech marking the 50th anniversary of the forces.<\/p>\n
On the contrary, ABRI is obliged to push for the development
\nof Pancasila democracy, he said during the ceremony held at the
\nHalim Perdanakusuma military air base in East Jakarta.<\/p>\n
Soeharto dismissed concerns, expressed abroad and at home,
\nabout the dual role played by ABRI -- as a defense and security
\nforce and also a socio-political force.<\/p>\n
Soeharto noted that in some other countries, the growing
\nstrength of the armed forces had led to the birth of militaristic
\ngovernments. \"But the role played by ABRI is different from those
\nof these other militaries. An ABRI member is first and foremost a
\nfighter,\" he said.<\/p>\n
\"There are no other armed forces in advanced countries that we
\ncould use for comparison. We have to develop our own doctrines,
\nstrategies, tactics and techniques on the basis of our own ideals
\nand experience,\" said the retired Army general.<\/p>\n
ABRI's golden anniversary was commemorated in a ceremony which
\nincluded the largest parade ever held by the military, involving
\nover 11,000 troops, 173 aircraft and dozens of tanks, armored
\nvehicles and other military hardware.<\/p>\n
Besides the flypass and air acrobatics of the F16 fighters,
\nthe Air Force's most prized aircraft, there was also a display of
\na counter-terrorist operations by a unit of Kopassus, the Army's
\nelite force.<\/p>\n
Parade<\/p>\n
The parade was not only watched by the invited VIPs --
\nincluding top government officials, foreign ambassadors and
\nABRI's top brass. One section of the air base was opened to
\nmembers of the public to watch the colorful ceremony. Most came
\nin military trucks provided by the Army in Jakarta's five
\nmayoralties. The three-hour event was broadcast live nationwide.<\/p>\n
ABRI was formed on Oct. 5, 1945, through a merger of the
\nvarious militias in existence when the nation proclaimed its
\nindependence the previous August.<\/p>\n
Because of the nature of its inception, ABRI leaders
\nrepeatedly remind their troops that the military was \"born of the
\npeople, for the people and by the people.\"<\/p>\n
The anniversary came at a time when ABRI's Dwi Fungsi (dual
\nfunction) has come under closer scrutiny, not only from abroad,
\nbut also from people at home.<\/p>\n
On this issue, Soeharto said that ABRI must be prepared to
\ntake a back seat in politics while ensuring the continuity of
\nnational development.<\/p>\n
\"What is considered best for the people of Indonesia is also
\nbest for ABRI. Nowadays, the strategic role of ABRI is as tut
\nwuri handayani for the other forces existing within society,\" he
\nsaid, referring to the Javanese phrase which means \"to supervise
\nfrom the rear\".<\/p>\n
As society is undergoes rapid and major changes, \"ABRI must
\nknow where to place itself,\" Soeharto said. \"The role of ABRI can
\nbe expanded and reduced according as needs be.\"<\/p>\n
After the ceremony, ABRI chief Gen. Feisal Tanjung told
\nreporters that his forces are prepared to accept the position of
\ntut wuri handayani. He said the adoption of that role would allow
\nthe military to concentrate on the task of defending the nation.<\/p>\n
\"After 50 years of independence, this is the most appropriate
\nposition. ABRI's other duty is to ensure the safety of the nation
\nand the country and, under these conditions, it will carry out
\nthat task optimally.\"<\/p>\n
ABRI's chief concern remains the same as it has always been,
\nnamely to support national development for the prosperity of the
\npeople, he added.<\/p>\n
During the military parade, Soeharto was joined on the podium
\nby Gen. Feisal, Army Chief of Staff Gen. Hartono, Air Force Chief
\nof Staff Marshal Rilo Pambudi, Navy Chief of Staff Admiral Tanto
\nKuswanto and National Police Chief Gen. Banurusman Astrosemitro.
\n(rms\/emb)<\/p>\n
Setback -- Page 2<\/p>", "url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/abri-will-help-boost-democracy-1447893297", "image": "" }, "sponsor": "Okusi Associates", "sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com" }