Nasution defends outspoken fellow former generals<\/p>\n
JAKARTA (JP): Gen. (ret.) Abdul Haris Nasution, one of
\nIndonesia's oldest living senior military figures, defended his
\nfellow retired generals who take a critical stand on the
\ngovernment.<\/p>\n
\"Giving criticism is part of retired military officials' duty
\nfor the betterment of the country,\" Nasution, better known as Pak
\nNas, told reporters in his residence yesterday.<\/p>\n
He noted that retired military officials have different angles
\nin viewing state affairs from when they were still in active
\nservice.<\/p>\n
\"Some retired military officials might join Golkar in their
\nefforts to continue their struggle, while others may choose to
\nkeep a distance from the government,\" he said.<\/p>\n
Nasution was commenting on President Soeharto's recent
\ncriticism of some former generals' \"inconsistency\" in their stand
\non state issues.<\/p>\n
The President pointed out that some generals like criticizing
\nhis policies after they retire although they were silent when
\nthey were in active service.<\/p>\n
Soeharto said the generals' stand was against the spirits of
\nthe state ideology Pancasila and the 1945 Constitution.<\/p>\n
Several of such \"outspoken\" retired generals, including Kharis
\nSuhud and Bambang Triantoro, along with other prominent civilian
\nfigures, founded the National Brotherhood Foundation last year.<\/p>\n
The foundation's founding fathers said they formed the
\norganization out of their concern about current political
\npractices that they feared could endanger the nation's unity.<\/p>\n
Nasution said he does not believe the outspoken generals have
\nill intentions when they criticize the government. \"I believe
\nthat they want to contribute their ideas to the government to
\nhelp solve problems,\" he said.<\/p>\n
Nasution, 78, is understood to be one of military's former
\nofficials critical of the Soeharto administration.<\/p>\n
He was an Army chief of staff and later defense minister
\nduring President Sukarno's administration. He headed the
\nProvisional People's Consultative Assembly which stripped Sukarno
\nof his power in 1967.<\/p>\n
Citing his personal experience, Nasution said that he once
\ncriticized the way the military handled mass protests in the
\npast.<\/p>\n
\"Now we can see the result ... we see that the Armed Forces do
\nnot fire at demonstrators anymore,\" he said.<\/p>\n
Also raising concern over the former general's critical stand
\nwere Armed Forces Chief Gen. Feisal Tanjung and Coordinating
\nMinister for Political Affairs and Security Soesilo Soedarman.<\/p>\n
On Thursday, Feisal attended a meeting of the Armed Forces
\nPensioners Association. Without mentioning any names, he alleged
\nat the meeting that some retired military officials were involved
\nin the July 27 riots in the capital.<\/p>\n
Separately, Soesilo, who is also chairman of the association,
\nsaid that some retired generals like saying one thing and doing
\nsomething else.<\/p>\n
Injustices<\/p>\n
According to Nasution, many retired officials are obliged to
\nvoice their concern about the widespread injustices in society.<\/p>\n
\"Injustices are the biggest enemy of Indonesia's development
\nprogram,\" he said.<\/p>\n
\"The injustices could be used by the outlawed Indonesian
\nCommunist Party to disrupt the nation's stability and order,\" he
\nadded.<\/p>\n
When asked whether it is still relevant to believe communism
\nas being the nation's main enemy, Nasution said: \"It is the
\nPresident who has the authority to judge. I may make mistakes if
\nI try to comment on it.\"<\/p>\n
He said that democratization is the solution to the various
\ninjustices.<\/p>\n
\"We should develop and uphold democracy, so that all people
\ncan channel their aspirations,\" he said. (imn)<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/nasution-defends-outspoken-fellow-former-generals-1447893297",
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