Gen. Soemitro's legacy<\/p>\n
The demise of (retired Gen.) Soemitro has left many of us with
\nindelible memories. To those who were directly involved in the
\nstudent movement of 1974, he remains known as a stern,
\nunpretentious and straightforward national security commander,
\nbut also one who was close to students. His political adversaries
\nwill probably remember this East Javanese man as a naive and
\npolitically blind person.<\/p>\n
During his time of active service, Soemitro was known as a
\nthoroughly loyal soldier. He would be enraged whenever protesting
\nstudents managed to penetrate the vicinity of the presidential
\npalace. \"The honor of the head of state is above anything,\" he
\nwould say. Yet, at the same time he tried to understand the
\nstudents' demands. Although he acted sternly against student
\nleaders such as Hariman Siregar, he also openly expressed his
\nadmiration for them.<\/p>\n
When the 1974 student protest movement began to swell, he was
\nurged by various parties, including President Soeharto, to deal
\nwith the students firmly. He always refused in an amiable manner.
\nSoemitro's attitude was significant, considering that all this
\ntook place at a time when settlement by force was still often
\napplied. Soemitro persisted in this attitude until the end of his
\nlife. He accommodated students by tirelessly holding discussions
\nwith them concerning the state of the country, and at the same
\ntime reminding them constantly that change must be brought about
\nin a constitutional manner.<\/p>\n
What, then, is the legacy which Soemitro left Indonesian
\npeople, especially students whom he considered to be the motor of
\nchange? Among Soemitro's important legacies are an open attitude
\nand a willingness to acknowledge students. This legacy is all the
\nmore important at this moment, when students in almost every
\nregion of the country are restlessly demanding change.<\/p>\n
-- Republika, Jakarta<\/p>", "url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/gen-soemitros-legacy-1447893297", "image": "" }, "sponsor": "Okusi Associates", "sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com" }