Kostrad vows to side with the people<\/p>\n
JAKARTA (JP): In a blatant show of force geared to demonstrate
\nthe corps allegiances, the Army's Strategic Reserves Command
\n(Kostrad) chief Lt. Gen. Ryamizard Ryacudu told soldiers to
\nremain \"loyal to the people\" and warned of punishment for
\n\"traitors\" allying themselves to individuals or groups.<\/p>\n
Speaking at an \"Allegiance Ceremony\" attended by 800 Kostrad
\nsoldiers at its headquarters in Central Jakarta on Sunday,
\nRyamizard told his troops that their loyalty was only to the
\ncountry and \"not to certain individuals or groups.\"<\/p>\n
Without specifically referring to these individuals, he
\nfurther pointed out that Kostrad soldiers \"do not engage in
\npractical politics.\"<\/p>\n
\"A soldier's politics is the nation's politics. Let there not
\nbe a single Kostrad soldier who betrays this or becomes a traitor
\nto the republic and people of Indonesia,\" he said.<\/p>\n
The ceremony was held amid speculation of growing tension
\nbetween President Abdurrahman Wahid and top military brass.<\/p>\n
There have been increasing reports that the President intends
\nto replace those in top military command posts after senior
\nIndonesian Military (TNI) officers rejected Abdurrahman's plan to
\ndeclare a state of national emergency and issue a decree
\ndissolving the House of Representatives.<\/p>\n
The President's move is believed to be designed to preempt the
\nHouse's memorandum process which in nine days could lead to a
\nspecial session of the People's Consultative Assembly.<\/p>\n
While the President has repeatedly denied such reports, top
\nmilitary brass like Ryamizard, Army Chief of Staff Endriartono
\nSutarto, Navy chief Adm. Indroko Sastrowiryono and several
\nregional military commanders have continued to publicly express
\ntheir opposition to a politicized military reshuffle.<\/p>\n
Earlier on Saturday, the Army also solicited the public
\nsupport of some 124 retired generals, who included former vice
\npresident Gen. (ret) Try Sutrisno, former TNI chief Gen. (ret)
\nWiranto and former Army Chief of Staff Gen. (ret) Hartono.<\/p>\n
Without giving details, Ryamizard on Sunday suggested there
\nwere indications that there traitors ready to betray and sell out
\nthe nation.<\/p>\n
He insisted that under no circumstances should Kostrad's
\n29,000 soldiers stray from the strict and narrow line set by the
\ncorps.<\/p>\n
\"I do not want to see any Kostrad soldier coveting rank, money
\nor postings ... If I find any, I will take resolute measures to
\ndeal with them!\" he asserted.<\/p>\n
During the ceremony, five Kostrad officers read out a pledge
\nof loyalty to the Unitary State of the Republic of Indonesia and
\nthe 1945 Constitution.<\/p>\n
The soldiers also pledged to fight for the interests of the
\npeople and against all efforts aimed at dividing the territorial
\nintegrity of the state.<\/p>\n
Present at the ceremony were the Army's Deputy Chief of Staff
\nLt. Gen. Kiki Syahnakrie, the commander of Kostrad's 1st division
\nbased in Cilodong, West Java, Maj. Gen. Harry Kosasih, and the
\ncommander of Kostrad's 2nd division based in Malang, East Java,
\nMaj. Gen A.D. Sikki.<\/p>\n
Similar ceremonies were reportedly also held at regional army
\nheadquarters across the country.<\/p>\n
Dispute<\/p>\n
When pressed after the ceremony on whom exactly he had in
\nmind by \"the people\", Ryamizard did not make any denials when
\njournalists suggested that he might have been referring to the
\nHouse.<\/p>\n
\"We are the people's soldiers. We'll be standing at the
\npeople's side if they find themselves in conflict with the
\ngovernment,\" said Ryamizard while referring to the House as \"the
\npeople's representatives\".<\/p>\n
\"We will maintain loyalty to the President because he was
\nlegitimately elected, but if the people make a different demand,
\nwe will adjust ourselves accordingly,\" Ryamizard remarked.<\/p>\n
Ryamizard however was quick to deny suggestions that the Army,
\nby holding such a ceremony, was on a political collision course
\nwith the President.<\/p>\n
\"Don't view this as being resistance against the President.
\nThere will be no physical resistance since he is the symbol of
\nthe state, who cannot be touched by anybody.\"<\/p>\n
\"If there are differences between the TNI and the President,
\nit is just a political matter which is beyond my authority,\"
\nRyamizard stressed. (02\/dja)<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/kostrad-vows-to-side-with-the-people-1447893297",
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