Dual function of the Armed Forces<\/p>\n
As Indonesians intensify their demands for total reform in all
\nareas in the wake of Soeharto's resignation, pure democracy based
\non Pancasila and the Constitution of 1945 must be implemented.
\nThis will involve limiting the role of the Armed Forces in order
\nthat nobody gets the impression that the country is ruled in an
\nauthoritarian or totalitarian manner by the power holder.<\/p>\n
During the transitional period, which may last until 2003, the
\ndual function of the Armed Forces in Indonesia is still needed
\nbecause it is expected to play a role in establishing stability
\nin the community and also ensure that the public maintain their
\ndynamism for the sake of democracy.<\/p>\n
The leadership of the Armed Forces must introduce a fresh way
\nof thinking and a new operational method, namely moving from
\ntaking preventive and repressive measures against the people and
\ndevelop a craving for reform and the courage to fight against the
\nSoeharto regime by allowing opportunities for reform to be
\ncarried out constitutionally. It is in fact the duty of the Armed
\nForces to safeguard decisions made by the government and by the
\nHouse of People's Representatives\/People's Consultative Assembly
\n(DPR\/MPR) in the context of implementing reforms in all areas.<\/p>\n
However, it is now the right time for the very broad function
\nof the Armed Forces to be reduced. The following may serve as
\nexamples of possible reductions:<\/p>\n
1. The Armed Forces must take a neutral stance and be impartial
\ntoward any groups and political parties existing at present and
\nin the coming election. It must be able to take a middle position
\nand protect everyone.<\/p>\n
The Armed Forces must stop fostering mass organizations
\nusually believed to be attached to it. These organizations must
\nbe independent from the Armed Forces and must no longer get
\npolitical and logistic support from the Armed Forces.<\/p>\n
The Armed Forces need no longer mobilize forces in the
\ncommunity. Of course, it is always possible, for example, for
\nwives of members of the Armed Forces and retired Armed Forces
\nmembers to set up their own associations but only as long as
\nthese are established for welfare purposes.<\/p>\n
2. The Armed Forces must reduce the number of its members
\nassuming civilian positions, such as governors, district heads,
\nmayors, directors general and so forth. These positions must be
\nreturned to civilians; Armed Forces members should take up
\ncivilian posts only if such posts are considered vulnerable if
\nleft to civilians or if there are no civilians capable of
\nassuming such posts.<\/p>\n
Armed Forces members must stop having such an arrogant
\nattitude and doing what they please simply because they have the
\npower to do so. They must now really take the people's interests
\ninto account.<\/p>\n
During the Soeharto regime examples abounded of how certain
\nmembers of the Armed Forces acted in ways not befitting them but
\ngot away unpunished. Of course Minister of Home Affairs Lt. Gen.
\nSyarwan Hamid and Armed Forces Commander Gen. Wiranto must now
\nrid the Armed Forces of such members.<\/p>\n
3. The Armed Forces must not take part in the coming general
\nelection to ensure their neutrality. The number of Armed Forces
\nmembers in the DPR must be reduced to only a maximum of 10
\npercent of the total number of the DPR members, considering that
\nthe Armed Forces serves only to create stability and social
\ndynamism.<\/p>\n
4. Finally, the leadership of the Armed Forces must have the
\ncourage to take firm action against certain elements of their
\nsubordinates who were indisciplined and violated laws and human
\nrights during the Soeharto regime.<\/p>\n
SUHARSONO HADIKUSUMO<\/p>\n
Jakarta<\/p>", "url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/dual-function-of-the-armed-forces-1447893297", "image": "" }, "sponsor": "Okusi Associates", "sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com" }