Principles of ABRI<\/p>\n
After reading the article Is ABRI losing its sight of history
\n(The Jakarta Post, March 29, 1996) written by J. Soedjati
\nDjiwandono, a member of the CSIS board of directors, I felt the
\nurge to comment on the words of another -- the speech of Gen.
\nHartono, the Army's chief of staff in Karanganyar.<\/p>\n
It should be known that I am not a political observer, but
\njust somebody who likes to write when he reads something strange.
\nAnd this speech appears strange to me.<\/p>\n
Gen. Hartono said that members of ABRI (Armed Forces) are
\ncadres of the Golkar group. Did he have the right to speak on
\nbehalf of the Navy, Air Force and National Police? Gen. Feisal
\nTanjung maybe could say that, though the wisdom would be
\nquestionable.<\/p>\n
There is something called the "Nine principles of ABRI's dual
\nfunction". Principle No.1 says: The policy followed by ABRI is
\nthe 1945 policy of no group politics nor the politics of ABRI.
\nWhy then did the Army side with one specific group? I remember
\nthe statement of the Secretary-general of Korpri (Indonesian
\nCivil Servants Association) that members of Korpri must vote for
\nGolkar, which invited strong reaction.<\/p>\n
* Point nine says that as long as the existing institutions do
\ntheir job well, then ABRI must let the institution concerned do
\nit's job. This means no interference. I cannot accept that ABRI
\nis doubting the capability of Golkar leadership, because in my
\nopinion they are doing well, or better still, very well.<\/p>\n
The controversial speech has been put right by the proper
\nauthorities and now we are facing more important and relevant
\nproblems. One of them is the coming general election.<\/p>\n
Let us make the general election a success because this is the
\nonly way to find out what the people actually want. We may have
\nour differences, but this is normal in a living, dynamic and
\ndemocratic community like Indonesia.<\/p>\n
The President said March 13, 1972: "In our journey towards a
\nPancasila community, all kinds of efforts of adjustment occur,
\nwhich is not always a smooth path or free from social and
\npsychological turbulences. It may take a long time and requires
\nfrom us determination, patience and wisdom."<\/p>\n
SOEGIH ARTO<\/p>\n
Jakarta<\/p>", "url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/principles-of-abri-1447893297", "image": "" }, "sponsor": "Okusi Associates", "sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com" }