New guards at ABRI<\/p>\n
If all goes well, President Soeharto will install Gen. Wiranto
\nas the new chief of the Armed Forces (ABRI), and Gen. Subagyo as
\nArmy chief of staff at the presidential palace today.<\/p>\n
Changes in ABRI's leadership may be as regular as clockwork,
\nbut given the military's powerful influence and its role in
\npolitics and in government, a reshuffle at the top always has
\ngreat bearing and significance for the country. This time is no
\nexception.<\/p>\n
Several other top posts are also affected in this latest
\nreshuffle, most notably those of ABRI chief of general affairs
\nand ABRI chief of sociopolitical affairs. These changes are part
\nof a recurrent rejuvenation process within the military. With the
\nexception of Wiranto, all the top posts in ABRI and the Army are
\nnow in the hands of graduates of the ABRI Academy (AKABRI) --
\nwhere the emphasis is on developing professional soldiers --
\nwhich succeeded the National Military Academy (AMN).<\/p>\n
Gen. Wiranto comes from AMN's Class 1968, but at 50, he is one
\nof the youngest officers to hold the ABRI leadership baton. His
\npredecessors were certainly older when promoted to the post,
\nrequiring the president to extend their services beyond the
\nmandatory retirement age of 55 for senior officers. There will
\nprobably be none of that among senior officers if Soeharto
\ndecides to keep Wiranto in his new post for the next four years.<\/p>\n
Wiranto's appointment did not come as a surprise. He has risen
\nrapidly through the ranks these past few years, outshining his
\npeers. A stint as President Soeharto's adjutant certainly boosted
\nhis resum, for it is a post given only to the most capable and
\nentrusted officers. But Wiranto rose to the challenge in all the
\nposts he has held since then, including as chief of the Jakarta
\nMilitary Command, chief of the Army's Strategic Reserves Command,
\nand as Army chief of staff.<\/p>\n
Wiranto's leadership skills are also well tested outside the
\nArmy. He chaired the second ad hoc committee during the recent
\npreparatory meeting of the People's Consultative Assembly (MPR).
\nHis committee drafted the decrees on the election of president
\nand vice president. With all these qualities, it is no wonder his
\nname has often been mentioned as a possible vice presidential
\ncandidate. He probably would make a good vice president, but with
\nthe announcement of his new appointment, it looks like his skills
\nand services are more needed in ABRI.<\/p>\n
Wiranto may not have to wait too long before he is called on
\nto prove his leadership qualities. The sporadic riots that we
\nhave seen in several towns these past few weeks will certainly be
\nhis first priority as soon as he assumes the ABRI leadership.<\/p>\n
These are not the usual riots which the military has become
\naccustomed to putting down. Some of these riots were sparked by
\nrising food prices and food shortages as a consequence of the
\nworsening economic crisis. These were riots caused by the failure
\nof the economy to provide the most basic needs of the people such
\nas food and jobs. Acting firmly alone would not solve the problem
\nand could even aggravate the situation. Wisdom and compassion are
\nalso necessary in cases like these.<\/p>\n
There is also the rising political temperature, prompted by
\nthe economic crisis and the approaching of the MPR General
\nSession which will start March 1. The political situation in the
\ncountry has grown particularly tense these past few weeks, and
\ncould even explode unless handled with care.<\/p>\n
Rarely has the military been challenged so much on different
\nfronts like today. ABRI has, on many occasions in the past,
\nprovided the decisive leadership and the initiative to pull the
\nnation out of its predicaments. Can it do it this time?<\/p>\n
With a leadership that combines youthfulness, firmness,
\nexperience and wisdom under Gen. Wiranto, one would certainly
\nhope so.<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/new-guards-at-abri-1447893297",
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"sponsor": "Okusi Associates",
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