Dual function updated<\/p>\n
The socio-political function of the Armed Forces (ABRI) has
\ncontinued to be a relevant topic as time passes. President
\nSoeharto said in his speech at the celebration of ABRI's 49th
\nanniversary yesterday that the military's role is still required
\nin the defense and security and socio-political domains.<\/p>\n
Those who are well versed in the history and background of the
\nIndonesian military are quite aware that it has played a socio-
\npolitical role since the war of independence in the late 1940s.
\nThis role was boosted when president Sukarno realized that many
\npolitical problems could not be solved without the military.<\/p>\n
The New Order government has perfected the military's socio-
\npolitical role, transforming it into a dynamic motivating force,
\nas well as a stabilizing force. So far ABRI has carried out these
\nroles well, thus the President deems it necessary for its dual
\nfunction to continue in the service of the nation for some time
\nto come.<\/p>\n
ABRI has always made its mission to serve the interests of the
\npeople. This is the basis of its philosophy. The success of this
\nhas been proven in the reality that although many foreign
\nobservers view the Indonesian military as very powerful, it has
\nnever been involved in any coup like the military forces of South
\nAmerica, Africa, or the Middle East. The involvement of military
\npeople in the political upheavals on those two continents and in
\nIran under Shah Pahlevi serve as solid examples of soldiers
\nfailing to defend the constitutions of their nations and their
\npeoples in order to support certain individuals or groups.<\/p>\n
ABRI's internal cohesion and its working system are so
\ncompactly intact that no outside forces can dictate their
\nambitions to the military. Perhaps the best example of this was
\nwhen certain ruling political groupings wanted a colonel, Bambang
\nUtoyo, named to the post of army chief of staff, in 1954. This
\nproved futile due to the integrity of the system within the Army.<\/p>\n
Judging from ABRI's experience and position as a force
\nuninfluenced by and independent of all outside political
\nentities, ABRI clearly has the responsibility to help create an
\natmosphere in which the country's political structure can grow
\nhealthily.<\/p>\n
In light of this it is interesting to note a recent comment.
\nFormer army chief of staff, Gen. (ret) Rudini said, as quoted by
\nKompas daily yesterday, that ABRI is expected not to get involved
\nin the internal affairs of any particular political grouping, nor
\nto support any given candidate for its leadership.<\/p>\n
Clearly, ABRI's socio-political function is as unique as it is
\nimportant. The more successful the Armed Forces is at its socio-
\npolitical role, the fewer duties it will have in that sector in
\nthe future. As Brig. Gen. Syarwan Hamid, the military spokesman,
\nhas promised: Once the political infrastructure is properly in
\nplace and functioning well, ABRI's socio-political activities
\nwill be significantly reduced.<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/dual-function-updated-1447893297",
"image": ""
},
"sponsor": "Okusi Associates",
"sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com"
}