ABRI's extended family meets at last<\/p>\n
JAKARTA (JP): The Indonesian Armed Forces' (ABRI) extended
\nfamily met for the first time yesterday after thirty-two years of
\nNew Order government.<\/p>\n
About 200 retired Armed Forces generals attended the meeting
\nat the Armed Forces headquarters in Cilangkap, East Jakarta, to
\nreceive badges and certificates symbolizing their involvement in
\nthe establishment of ABRI's precursor, the People's Security
\nForces (BKR).<\/p>\n
\"This event is part of current ABRI leaders' efforts to bridge
\nthe feelings of the old ABRI generation and current ABRI leaders
\nand members,\" Gen. (ret) Abdul Haris Nasution said in a speech
\nmarking the awarding of the badges and certificates to the
\nretired generals.<\/p>\n
\"As the oldest living retired general, I call on current ABRI
\nleaders and members to maintain the Armed Forces solidarity and
\nthe unity,\" the 78-year old Army general said in his speech.<\/p>\n
Unable to hold back tears, Nasution said the Indonesian Armed
\nForces would not have become as big and strong as it is now
\nwithout the people's support and help.<\/p>\n
The delay in organizing the meeting was partly due the need to
\nreconcile the political differences between former generals such
\nas Nasution and the government.<\/p>\n
The ceremony was also marked with an outpouring emotion
\nbetween retired members and those who are still active.<\/p>\n
Minister of Defense and Security Gen. (ret.) Edi Sudradjat
\nstood up and supported Nasution as the latter made his way to the
\npodium to give his speech.<\/p>\n
Among those attending the ceremony were Armed Forces Chief
\nGen. Feisal Tanjung, Army Chief of Staff Gen. R. Hartono, Navy
\nChief of Staff Vice Admiral Arief Kushariadi, Air Force Chief of
\nStaff Vice Marshal Sutria Tubagus and National Police Chief Lt.
\nGen. Dibyo Widodo.<\/p>\n
Sitting in the rows of retired generals were Gen. (ret)
\nMaraden Panggabean, retired lieutenant generals Dadang Suprayogi,
\nSolichin G.P., Achmad Tirtosudiro and Achmad Kemal Idris.<\/p>\n
Also present were State Minister of Youth Affairs and Sports
\nHayono Isman, State Minister of Women's Roles Mien Sugandhi and
\nMinister of Social Services Endang Kusuma Inten Soeweno, who
\nrepresented their relatives.<\/p>\n
Hayono is the son of the late Maj. Gen. Mas Isman, while Mien
\nSugandhi represented her late husband Maj. Gen. Sugandhi and
\nInten represented her late father Brig. Gen. Kusen Wirohusodo.<\/p>\n
The BKR, a coalition of various elements of society, was born
\na few days after Independence Day on Aug. 17, 1945. It was
\nrenamed the People's Soldiers (TKR) in October of the same year.<\/p>\n
In line with increasing demands for a more professional force,
\nthe TKR became the Soldiers of the Republic of Indonesia on Jan.
\n24, 1946. It was eventually named the Indonesian Armed Forces on
\nJuly 3, 1947.<\/p>\n
Addressing the ceremony, Edi thanked the retired generals for
\ntheir contributions to the development of the Indonesian Armed
\nForces, enabling it to use modern technology to become a strong
\nmilitary force.<\/p>\n
Feisal said he was grateful that some of the retired generals
\ncould still accompany and guide current Armed Forces personnel as
\nthey prepared to enter the 21st century.<\/p>\n
\"With the help and guidance of our predecessors, we can expect
\ncurrent ABRI members to have the same vision and orientation as
\nthey had in the past.<\/p>\n
\"The era might change, but vision and orientation should not,\"
\nhe said. (imn)<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/abris-extended-family-meets-at-last-1447893297",
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"sponsor": "Okusi Associates",
"sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com"
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