The military apologizes<\/p>\n
A touching event occurred in Makassar on New Year's Eve. The
\nArmy chief of staff, Gen. Tyasno Sudarto, apologized to the
\nIndonesian people for past mistakes made by the Indonesian
\nMilitary (TNI). "The TNI admits it has made mistakes and is
\nasking the Indonesian people for their forgiveness. We apologize
\nfor all the mistakes we have made -- consciously or otherwise --
\nduring the New Order period and in the initial days of the
\npresent reform movement," the chief of staff said.<\/p>\n
We believe that, this time, the apology that was conveyed by
\nthe Army chief of staff was an expression of genuine regret. A
\ngenuine effort exists to improve the standing of the military,
\nwhich has suffered considerably in the eyes of the people.<\/p>\n
TNI must now do all it can to rehabilitate its reputation.
\nApologizing is one way for it to once again be at peace with the
\npopulation from among whom it was born. Any effort to preserve
\nthe notion that TNI cannot do wrong can only be
\ncounterproductive.<\/p>\n
A clear position must also be taken with regard to the use of
\nthe word oknum (rogue individuals) within TNI. Oknum should refer
\nnot only to erring lower-ranking members of the military, but to
\nofficers as well. In the present situation, any attempt to
\nsubject generals to questioning or investigation is taken as an
\ninsult to TNI. The Army chief of staff's apology should seek to
\ncorrect problems such as these as well.<\/p>\n
-- Media Indonesia, Jakarta<\/p>", "url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/the-military-apologizes-1447893297", "image": "" }, "sponsor": "Okusi Associates", "sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com" }