Wiranto denies report Soeharto ruling ABRI<\/p>\n
JAKARTA (JP): Minister of Defense and Security Affairs\/Armed
\nForces Commander Gen. Wiranto admitted yesterday he is still
\npersonally close to former president Soeharto but insisted the
\nrelationship did not influence Armed Forces decision-making.<\/p>\n
He told journalists at the Armed Forces' Merdeka Barat
\nheadquarters in Central Jakarta that the Armed Forces (ABRI) had
\nno structural relationship with Soeharto anymore.<\/p>\n
\"ABRI does not receive direct orders or instructions from
\nformer president Soeharto,\" he said. \"All of the accusations that
\nABRI is under his control are untrue\".<\/p>\n
He, however, admitted that he could not avoid maintaining a
\n\"cultural relationship\" with Soeharto.<\/p>\n
\"I admit that as a former adjutant, I'm personally close with
\npak Harto,\" he said.<\/p>\n
He said that as an Indonesian, who adheres to an Eastern
\nculture, he could not simply discard past good relations with
\nSoeharto just because the latter is no longer president.<\/p>\n
\"Why should we be afraid or unwilling to meet the former
\npresident,\" he asked.<\/p>\n
While he holds no official position since stepping down on
\nMay. 21, speculation continues to circulate that Soeharto retains
\ninfluence over ABRI's top brass.<\/p>\n
During most of his public appearances, which have been very
\nfew and usually centered around Friday prayers, Soeharto has been
\nseen accompanied by a senior ABRI officer.<\/p>\n
On June 5 Soeharto performed Friday prayers at the Taman Mini
\nIndonesia Indah in East Jakarta, accompanied by outgoing Jakarta
\nMilitary Commander Maj. Gen. Sjafrie Sjamsoeddin.<\/p>\n
On June 12 he held Friday prayers at the ABRI's Cilangkap
\nheadquarters.<\/p>\n
Last Friday Soeharto attended prayers at the Army's
\nheadquarters in Central Jakarta and met Army chief of staff Gen.
\nSubagyo Hadisiswoyo. (imn)<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/wiranto-denies-report-soeharto-ruling-abri-1447893297",
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