Student regiments<\/p>\n
Is it necessary to retain the (paramilitary) student regiments
\n(Menwa)? This is a question that continues to surface in the wake
\nof the clash between Himpala (student nature lovers organization)
\nmembers and the Menwas at the Universitas Nasional (Unas) in
\nJakarta, last Tuesday. Indeed, questions like this have been
\nasked since long before the Unas clash.<\/p>\n
In general, the question concerns the excessive behavior of
\nMenwa members vis-a-vis their fellow students, or even towards
\noutsiders. It has happened at various other universities also,
\nrepeated acts of harassment -- beatings, detentions and even
\nhostage-taking -- have been committed by Menwa members.<\/p>\n
It was this string of incidents that recently led a member of
\nthe House of Representatives' Commission IX to question the
\nMenwa's existence. Earlier this month the House questioned the
\nMinister of Education and Culture on the attitude displayed by
\nsome Menwa members, who they thought were acting more like
\nsoldiers than like students. The minister at that time promised
\nto look into the Menwa training methods, although this did not
\nnecessarily mean that the student regiments would be disbanded.<\/p>\n
Now, in view of the frequent excesses, it seems that indeed
\nthere is a need to reconsider the concept of Menwa training. The
\norganization may not need to be disbanded, as many people are
\ndemanding. What must be reconsidered is the training method. At
\npresent it seems that Menwa activities are somewhat isolated from
\nother student activities on campus. The Menwa organizations
\nshould be integrated and run in coordination with other student
\nactivities on campus. Moreover, the Menwa should not be treated
\nas if they are favored over other students.<\/p>\n
Also, the use of military attributes needs to be reconsidered.
\nIt could be that it is the very use of such traits that alienates
\nthe Menwa from other students and makes them unpopular. Moreover,
\nthe uncontrolled use of military attributes could damage the
\nimage of the Armed Forces (ABRI). At a moment when ABRI is
\nclearly becoming more professional and more popular among the
\npeople, that very favorable image is being damaged by a handful
\nof Menwas.<\/p>\n
-- Republika, Jakarta<\/p>", "url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/student-regiments-1447893297", "image": "" }, "sponsor": "Okusi Associates", "sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com" }