TNI's dual function<\/p>\n
The article in your paper on July 3, 2003 written by Dr.
\nDamien Kingsbury, titled Lingering problems: TNI, the state, the
\nnation was appalling. The dual function of the Indonesian
\nMilitary (TNI), which went beyond the intentions of its
\narchitect, the late Gen. A.H. Nasution, contributed significantly
\nto political and economic stability in Indonesia for nearly 30
\nyears under former president Soeharto.<\/p>\n
I don't think that the downfall of Soeharto was due to the
\ndual function per se. It resulted from the failure of various
\nnational institutions such as the House of Representatives and
\nthe People's Consultative Assembly, etc., to function as they
\nshould, which forced Soeharto to bow to the will of the people.
\nHe resigned and vice president BJ Habibie was then sworn in as
\npresident.<\/p>\n
Kingsbury's opinion on the role of the military in the dual
\nfunction was biased and deviated from reality. He said the
\nmilitary needed public obedience to the state's Pancasila
\nphilosophy and \"nationalism.\"<\/p>\n
Pancasila and nationalism are not vague mantra, as Kingsbury
\nsuggested. Pancasila as a way of life is solid, and nationalism,
\nbeing one of its five principles, is inextricably linked to
\nPancasila. Nationalism was stressed in the 1928 Youth Congress,
\nin which people pledged to have one state, one nation and one
\nnational language -- Indonesia.<\/p>\n
As regards the military operation in Aceh, it is a political
\ndecision aimed at protecting the integrity of the unitary state
\nof Indonesia. The operation is not the task of the military
\nalone, as understood by Kingsbury. It is a commitment of the
\nwhole nation.<\/p>\n
It is an integrated operation that will lead to a
\nnormalization of the lives of the Acehnese people, as it does not
\nonly involve security but also other aspects, such as the local
\neconomy, education, etc. Hence, GAM will sooner or later be
\nforgotten by the people and become a thing of the past. The
\nAcehnese people then can look forward to a peaceful and
\nprosperous life within the Unitary Republic of Indonesia.<\/p>\n
MUHD RAMZY HASIBUAN, Jakarta<\/p>", "url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/tnis-dual-function-1447893297", "image": "" }, "sponsor": "Okusi Associates", "sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com" }