Political forces are partners, not enemies: Feisal<\/p>\n
JAKARTA (JP): When the Armed Forces (ABRI) carries out its
\nsocio-political role, there are no enemies. The other political
\nforces are seen as partners, ABRI chief Gen. Feisal Tanjung says.<\/p>\n
In a speech before the Army's Strategic Reserves Command
\n(Kostrad) on Thursday, Feisal underlined the chief difference in
\nthe way ABRI discharges its defense and political roles, the
\nAntara news agency reported.<\/p>\n
In its defense duty, ABRI must be able to distinguish between
\nfriends and foes. But in carrying out its political role in the
\ncontext of Pancasila democracy, all the political players are
\n\"partners in struggle\", he said.<\/p>\n
Differences in political beliefs and perceptions between these
\nplayers should be recognized as long as they are consistent with
\nthe state ideology Pancasila and the 1945 Constitution, he said.<\/p>\n
In conducting defense and security operations, the military
\nmight be required to use force and violence to pressure, cripple
\nor even kill the enemy, Feisal said.<\/p>\n
But in its socio-political capacity, there must not be enmity,
\nhe said. \"Everyone is a fellow fighter with a common national
\nobjective. There shouldn't be any pressure, threat, use of force,
\nor other form of violence.\"<\/p>\n
ABRI officers given political assignments must be more
\naccommodating and persuasive, he said, they must possess high
\ncommunication skills.<\/p>\n
Kostrad marked its 34th anniversary on Thursday by organizing
\na series of speeches about the military, presenting Feisal and
\nMinister of Security and Defense Gen. (ret.) Edi Sudradjat as
\nspeakers.<\/p>\n
Kostrad is one of the Army's most elite forces and has
\nproduced many of the leaders in power today, both in the military
\nand in politics. President Soeharto was one of the force's first
\ncommanders.<\/p>\n
Feisal said the political role of ABRI must continually be
\nreviewed and adjusted to fit with the conditions of the time.<\/p>\n
The military must be responsive to the changes and to the
\ndemands of the people, he said, adding that this is the only way
\nfor ABRI to convince the nation that its political role is
\nperformed solely in the interest of the people.<\/p>\n
Legitimacy<\/p>\n
ABRI's current dual role -- in defense and politics -- dates
\nback to the early years of the republic 50 years ago. In 1982,
\nthe political role was formally given legitimacy by the House of
\nRepresentatives.<\/p>\n
In another part of the speech, Feisal warned about society's
\ntendency to form exclusive groups, which could still undermine
\nthe unity of the nation.<\/p>\n
His speech made no reference to any particular group but he
\nsaid these groups command the loyalty of their members and would
\ntry to exclude others.<\/p>\n
The presence of such exclusive groups, he said, is creating
\nsuspicion and mistrust between various groups in society. This,
\nhe went on to say, could undermine the spirit of \"deliberation to
\nreach consensus\" which is the essence of Indonesian politics.<\/p>\n
Minister Edi Sudradjat in his speech reiterated that ABRI is a
\ncomponent of the entire national defense system which relies on
\nthe total support of the people.<\/p>\n
Underlining the concept of kemanunggalan (oneness), Edi said
\nIndonesia does not recognize the difference between the people
\nand ABRI because it follows the defense principle, which is \"from
\nthe people, by the people and for the people\".<\/p>\n
The concept of \"oneness\" is not a mere slogan. It's a matter
\nof necessity, he said.<\/p>\n
ABRI is the force that is constantly on the ready to defend
\nthe nation. Behind it, though, there is a reserve force and
\nbehind that there's another layer -- the people.<\/p>\n
Precisely because of this system, Indonesia can rely on a
\nsmall, yet effective, efficient and professional military force,
\nhe said.<\/p>\n
The National Defense Act allows the government to call for a
\ntotal mobilization of the people in times of war.<\/p>\n
Edi said mobilization, if there ever is such a need, will only
\noccur in phases and in accordance with the degree of threat.<\/p>\n
The government has refrained from exercising its option to
\ncall for compulsory national service chiefly because of the huge
\ncost such a venture would entail. (emb)<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/political-forces-are-partners-not-enemies-feisal-1447893297",
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