Armed Forces elders<\/p>\n
From Pikiran Rakyat<\/p>\n
The euphoria of reform has reached a new height of intensity
\nwith the establishment of the National Front, which has declared
\nitself a forum serving as the government's opposition. I was a
\nlittle surprised when one of its founders, Lt. Gen. (ret.)
\nTriantoro, said that in addition to serving as the government's
\nopposition, the National Front would also \"deflate\" the
\nleadership of Golongan Karya (Golkar).<\/p>\n
He also said that in his judgment, Golkar's extraordinary
\ncongress was fraught with dirty political maneuvers.<\/p>\n
Although I myself did not take part in this congress, I wonder
\nwhether it is appropriate for Triantoro, as one of the Armed
\nForces elders, to level such an accusation in the media.<\/p>\n
As one of the nation's sons, I am really very sad. I'm sad not
\nbecause of the strong criticisms leveled against Golkar but
\nrather because an Armed Forces elder, who should actually calm
\nthe people when they are angry and panicky, has instead fanned
\nthe situation by discouraging people to trust their government.<\/p>\n
The accusation that Golkar's extraordinary congress was
\nfraught with dirty political maneuvers gives an impression that
\nthe National Front is disappointed with the result of the
\ncongress. This disappointment is then manifested in a resolve as
\noutsiders to deflate Golkar. Is this political culture exemplary?<\/p>\n
Dear gentlemen, you are, in some ways, historically linked
\nwith the New Order regime. So you were, to a certain degree, to
\nblame for the mistakes committed by this regime because you were
\nholding certain positions.<\/p>\n
The establishment of the National Front as a result of
\ndisappointment over Golkar's extraordinary congress has, from the
\nvery beginning, completely crushed its moral commitment to guide
\nthe reform drive.<\/p>\n
Therefore, it is my hope that the National Front, through
\nretrospection, may be able to assume its right position as a
\nmoral force and work side by side with other communities.<\/p>\n
Your experiences will be held up as examples by the younger
\ngeneration. Actualize yourselves and dismiss the assumption that
\nyou are in your \"second puberty\".<\/p>\n
BOBBY P. MANULLANG<\/p>\n
Activist of Wawasan<\/p>\n
Non-Governmental<\/p>\n
Organization<\/p>\n
Bandung<\/p>", "url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/armed-forces-elders-1447893297", "image": "" }, "sponsor": "Okusi Associates", "sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com" }