Communism alive
\n and well here,
\n military warns<\/p>\n
JAKARTA (JP): The Soviet block in eastern Europe may have
\ncollapsed but according to a senior Army officer, Indonesia must
\nbe vigilant against a communist revival.<\/p>\n
"Communism remains a latent danger in Indonesia now and in the
\nfuture," Brig. Gen. Agum Gumelar, the chief of the Army's elite
\nforce Kopassus, told reporters yesterday.<\/p>\n
"Communism will return if the condition of society becomes
\nchaotic," Agum said during a rare press conference given by him
\nat the command's headquarters in Cijantung, East Jakarta, in
\nconnection with Kopassus' upcoming 42nd anniversary.<\/p>\n
The Indonesian Communist Party (PKI) has been outlawed since
\n1966.<\/p>\n
Kopassus spearheaded the Army's move to quash the communist
\nforces immediately after the failed coup attempt by PKI in 1965.<\/p>\n
The highly disciplined force has also been prominent in most
\nmajor military operations in Indonesia, including putting down
\nseparatist rebellions in Aceh, East Timor and Irian Jaya.<\/p>\n
Agum said leftist and rightist elements are constantly trying
\nto replace the political system in Indonesia which has been
\npainstakingly built since 1966, by criticizing and attacking the
\nsystem at every opportune moment.<\/p>\n
He felt that they immediately blame the system for any
\nmishaps, adding that the right elements would also exploit
\nreligious issues to further their cause.<\/p>\n
He also warned against other elements, particularly from
\nWestern-educated liberal-minded intellectuals, who constantly
\ndemand political and economic reforms.<\/p>\n
"They focus on labor and land conflicts to attack the
\ngovernment. Such movements, if not controlled, will worsen the
\nsocial, political and economic conditions," he said.<\/p>\n
He accused non-governmental organizations of using such issues
\nas democratization, political openness, environmental protection
\nand human rights to discredit the government and the Armed Forces
\n(ABRI).<\/p>\n
"We know many NGOs have become vocal, both at home and
\noverseas, on human rights and environmental issues in their
\nefforts to discredit the government and ABRI. They are also
\nagainst the constitution and Pancasila," he said.<\/p>\n
"What do Princen and Adnan Buyung Nasution really hope to
\nachieve by advocating the human rights of criminals?" he asked,
\nreferring two of Indonesia's most outspoken human rights
\ncampaigners. "Tell me which is more important. Protecting the
\nhuman rights of criminals or those of the good guys?"<\/p>\n
Open<\/p>\n
He said ABRI and the government were open to criticism,
\nprovided they were aired with the intention to help the
\ngovernment improve the people welfare and not to replace the
\nsystem because.<\/p>\n
"What would become of this nation if there was a revolution to
\noverturn the Pancasila democracy?," he asked. "We will go back to
\nsquare one after people have been waiting for a long time to
\nenjoy a good standard of living."<\/p>\n
Despite many shortcomings and weaknesses, people should give
\ncredit to the present government for improving their welfare, he
\nsaid.<\/p>\n
Agum also warned that Kopassus would remain true to its
\ncommitment to preserve the national stability and will strike at
\nanyone who is out to create trouble.<\/p>\n
"Kopassus will never tolerate anyone or any group who want to
\nreplace the constitution and the Pancasila ideology," he said.
\n"Kopassus will never betray the state ideology." (rms)<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/communism-alive-1447899208",
"image": ""
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"sponsor": "Okusi Associates",
"sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com"
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