Syarwan installed as ABRI sociopolitical chief<\/p>\n
JAKARTA (JP): Armed Forces (ABRI) Chief Gen. Feisal Tanjung
\nyesterday installed Maj. Gen. Syarwan Hamid as the new chief of
\nsociopolitical affairs, a job he said is reserved for someone
\nwith strong vision.<\/p>\n
Syarwan, 52 years old, replaced Lt. Gen. Moch. Ma'ruf, in one
\nof the two top positions in the ABRI headquarters after the chief
\nitself. The other job is the chief of general affairs, now held
\nby Lt. Gen. Suyono.<\/p>\n
With his appointment, Syarwan, who has served as Ma'ruf's
\nassistant this past year, is also due for promotion in rank.<\/p>\n
In his speech during the installation ceremony, Gen. Feisal
\nunderlined the need for ABRI contribute its best to the
\nsociopolitical development of the country.<\/p>\n
In order to be able to carry out this task, ABRI needs a chief
\nof sociopolitical affairs who possesses strong perception and
\ndeep vision, Feisal said.<\/p>\n
\"A chief of sociopolitical affairs with strong vision is
\nsomething that we have to have, so that ABRI could always work
\nwith the challenges and demands of the time,\" he said.<\/p>\n
Feisal also underlined the need for ABRI to work together with
\nother political forces in the country.<\/p>\n
Under the dwi fungsi (dual function) concept, ABRI is
\nrecognized as a sociopolitical force as well as the nation's
\nsecurity and defense backbone.<\/p>\n
Traditionally, it has been the duty of the chief of
\nsociopolitical affairs to explain and articulate this political
\nrole as well as to advise the chief in discharging this duty.<\/p>\n
Syarwan, a 1966 graduate of the National Military Academy, has
\nbeen at the forefront in explaining the military position to the
\npublic for the past year. Last weekend, for example, he warned
\nabout the \"new left\" movement in Indonesia which he said was more
\ndangerous than communism.<\/p>\n
Syarwan's old position has been filled by Brig. Gen. Suwarno
\nAdiwijoyo, previously ABRI's chief spokesman. Syarwan also served
\nas ABRI chief spokesman earlier.<\/p>\n
The promotions of Syarwan and Suwarno dispelled the belief
\nthat the position of military spokesman was a dead end for an
\nofficer's career.<\/p>\n
Both Syarwan and Suwarno had careers as territorial officers
\nbefore moving to the military information office, an increasingly
\nimportant part of the military to maintain its good image.<\/p>\n
Meanwhile in Bandung, West Java, Army Chief of Staff Gen. R.
\nHartono yesterday presented 50 Scorpion tanks recently delivered
\nfrom Britain to the Army's cavalry unit.<\/p>\n
Hartono said the tanks were part of a modernization process of
\nthe army's cavalry corps which consists of 1,020 tanks, many of
\nwhich are obsolete and over three decades old.<\/p>\n
\"Because of limited funds, the government has only agreed to
\nthe purchase of 50 tanks, though the cavalry would like to
\nreplace all of them,\" he said.<\/p>\n
Apart from buying the Scorpion tanks, the Army has also
\nrefitted about 150 panzers with new engines.<\/p>\n
According to Hartono these efforts were part of enhancing the
\nnational defense system in anticipation of the existing domestic
\nscene which is still filled with various challenges. (imn\/emb\/17\/mds)<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/syarwan-installed-as-abri-sociopolitical-chief-1447893297",
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