Prabowo's dismissal<\/p>\n
Lt. Gen. Prabowo Subianto, the central figure in the drama and
\ntragedy of the abduction of political activists, has had his
\nactive service in the Indonesian Armed Forces (ABRI) terminated.
\nIn plain terminology -- in contrast to the elaborate jargon that
\nis commonly used by the military -- it may be said that Prabowo
\nwas discharged. At the same time, Maj. Gen. Muchdi and Col.
\nChairawan were released of all structural duties within ABRI. In
\nshort, the ABRI leadership prefers to take administrative, rather
\nthan legal, action against them.<\/p>\n
By discharging (former Army Special Force commandant-general
\nLt. Gen.) Prabowo, ABRI aims to demonstrate that the principles
\nof punishment and reward are applied within its organization. In
\nthe special case of Prabowo, however, this kind of punishment
\nfails to appease the public's sense of justice. What the public
\nwas waiting for was not just to see what punishment Prabowo would
\nreceive, but whether its right to know would be satisfied. The
\npublic has the right to be given every bit of information
\nconcerning the abductions. Those two aspects -- due punishment
\nand the public's right to be informed -- are parts of the very
\nessence of justice.<\/p>\n
It appears, however, that ABRI still prefers to hold on to its
\nown -- rather than the public's -- perception of justice and
\ntransgression. ABRI takes the view that it is enough to inform
\nthe public on the punishment given and that people do not need to
\nknow any specifics regarding the case. Such an exclusivist
\nattitude normally leads to coercion and disinformation.<\/p>\n
The actions that have been taken against Prabowo, Muchdi and
\nChairawan reveal nothing. It appears that ABRI is not ready to
\nswallow too bitter a pill.<\/p>\n
-- Media Indonesia, Jakarta<\/p>", "url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/prabowos-dismissal-1447893297", "image": "" }, "sponsor": "Okusi Associates", "sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com" }