Focus on Soeharto a misguided issue<\/p>\n
Recently, demonstrations aimed at pressuring the government to
\nimmediately try Soeharto have been held at a much greater
\nintensity and frequency. Waves of thousands of students have
\ntried to reach the residence of the country's former number one.<\/p>\n
The mass media enthusiastically responded to these
\ndemonstrations. Some of them have even jotted down the scenario
\nof how the palace would be besieged by the students. It seems now
\nas if the main culprit of all the catastrophes that have hit this
\nnation is Soeharto. Habibie's main mistake, it appears, is that
\nhe is not quick and serious enough to respond to the demand that
\nSoeharto should be investigated and put on trial.<\/p>\n
In my opinion, Soeharto's trial is an absolute necessity.
\nThere is no reason not to put him on trial. However, I beg to
\ndisagree with the notion that Soeharto is the source of all the
\ndisasters and misfortunes that this nation has experienced. To
\nus, this nation's economic and political bankruptcy is
\nattributable to the mistakes of the New Order regime, which was
\nfully supported by the Armed Forces (ABRI) through its dual-
\nfunction concept. These mistakes cannot be blamed on Soeharto
\nalone because he is merely part of the militaristic and
\ncapitalistic regime.<\/p>\n
Putting Soeharto on trial will not necessarily change the
\nmilitaristic and capitalistic economic and political system
\ndeveloped by the New Order regime. Soeharto's trial will only
\ntouch the tip of the iceberg but will never destroy the iceberg
\nitself, which will continue to pose a threat to attempts to
\nuphold democracy in this country. This iceberg is the dual
\nfunction of ABRI, which from the New Order era up to Habibie's
\nadministration has continued to demonstrate its character, namely
\nauthoritarianism and an inclination to fascism.<\/p>\n
Therefore, if we wish to carry out thoroughly the mandate of
\ntotal reform, which has been paid for with the blood and souls of
\nthe reform heroes, the only way is to revoke ABRI's dual
\nfunction. The demand for the abolishment of ABRI's dual function
\nshould now be made the main focus of all prodemocracy movements,
\nand not the trial of Soeharto. Soeharto is but a card that you
\ncan no longer play!<\/p>\n
NEZAR PATRIA<\/p>\n
Staff member, Education<\/p>\n
and Propaganda Department<\/p>\n
Executive Committee of<\/p>\n
the Democratic People's Party (PRD)<\/p>\n
Jakarta<\/p>", "url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/focus-on-soeharto-a-misguided-issue-1447893297", "image": "" }, "sponsor": "Okusi Associates", "sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com" }