Knowing soldiers' plight urged<\/p>\n
JAKARTA (JP): Udayana Military Commander Maj. Gen. Kiki
\nSyahnakri defended criticism of the Indonesian Military's (TNI)
\nperformance saying people should take into account that many
\nsoldiers earn less than street bakso (meat ball) vendors.<\/p>\n
Kiki pointed out that it was sometimes difficult for TNI
\ncommanders to discipline soldiers because they were not able to
\nhelp them improve their poor living conditions.<\/p>\n
"The monthly salary of a private, for instance, is much lower
\nthan the revenue of a street bakso seller," he told journalists
\nhere on Saturday after presiding over a commemoration to mark the
\n43rd anniversary of the Udayana Military Command, which oversees
\nBali, West Nusa Tenggara and East Nusa Tenggara.<\/p>\n
Head of the United Nations Peace Keeping Operation in East
\nTimor Lt. Gen. Jaime de Los Santos was also present at the
\nceremony.<\/p>\n
It widely known that many soldiers have to find extra jobs,
\neven during working hours, in order to earn additional income to
\nsupport their families.<\/p>\n
No less than Minister of Defense Juwono Sudarsono himself
\nacknowledged that these shortcomings sometimes lead soldiers to
\nengage in acts which violate the law.<\/p>\n
Kiki argued that the economic hardships could be particularly
\ndifficult for soldiers, who, because of their profession, are put
\nin an unenviable paradox.<\/p>\n
"It is difficult for TNI leaders to enforce military
\ndiscipline. Because, on one side a soldier must be loyal and
\ndisciplined, but on the other he must seek extra income outside
\nhis office," he said<\/p>\n
Kiki also conceded that this sometimes led soldiers to seek
\nmoney by violating the laws and principles which they have been
\nsworn to protect.<\/p>\n
Nevertheless, he emphasized that the number of soldiers who
\ncommit crimes to augment their income was lower than those who
\nwork legally.<\/p>\n
Kiki also candidly admitted that the negative perceptions and
\nattitudes held by some soldiers were an historical legacy as a
\nresult of the privileges and facilities the military received
\nduring former president Soeharto's 32-year rule.<\/p>\n
He said such habits badly tarnished soldiers' mentality.<\/p>\n
"Such treatment turned them into spoiled soldiers, and it is
\nnot easy to enforce discipline on them," said Kiki.<\/p>\n
Last week Juwono said it was difficult for TNI and the
\nNational Police to meet even minimum standards due to the
\ninsufficient funds allocated to them.<\/p>\n
Juwono pointed out that the Rp 10.9 trillion (US$1.3 billion)
\nfund provided in the 2000 state budget was only able to meet 25
\npercent of the minimum costs needed for TNI and the National
\nPolice's operational costs. (prb)<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/knowing-soldiers-plight-urged-1447893297",
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"sponsor": "Okusi Associates",
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