ABRI and civilians
When I read in The Jakarta Post of Sept. 9, the statement made by a well respected political scientist, Prof Dr Juwono Sudarsono, vice governor of the National Resilience Institute, I was surprised or, perhaps better, shocked.
He said no civilian for the time being is fit to fill the position of president and that this position should still be in the hands of Armed Forces officers, especially those from the Army.
The following day I read reactions in Kompas from Minister of Research and Technology B.J. Habibie, Coordinating Minister for Political Affairs and Security Soesilo Soedarman, Prof Sutandyo Wignyosubroto MPA, member of the National Human Rights Body, Minister Harmoko, Dr Yahya Muhaimin, dean from Gajah Mada University, and Gen.(ret) Rudini, all stating that civilians and members of the Armed Forces have the same opportunity.
I am a little confused though because The Jakarta Post of Sept. 10 on page 2 said that Yahya Muhaimin supported Juwono's statement, while earlier in Kompas he gave a different view. Which is correct Kompas or The Jakarta Post?
My reaction to the statement of Prof Juwono is that there should be no difference between Armed Forces officers and civilians. I myself am a retired officer of the Armed Forces, and have served in civilian jobs including in a ministerial position, ambassador, advisory position to a civilian minister etc. My experience is that civilians have the same capability as Armed forces officers, if given a fair chance.
Give civilians the chance and opportunity to prove their worth in an atmosphere of trust and confidence and we will be surprised how well they can perform their duties.
The Armed Forces in their dual capacity, should act as loving parents, who are preparing their children (civilians) to reach maturity and become independent, free from the tight control of parents. Parents have the moral obligation to make their children independent, capable of mature thinking, and to step down in due time. That is my view of the dual function of the Armed Forces (ABRI).
I am convinced that ABRI do not want to cling to their present position and are working to create a compact and capable civilian corps, but civilians themselves must also show their guts and be prepared to shoulder heavy responsibilities. Then the role of ABRI will diminish.
Prof Juwono once said, "If the number of professionals increases and they can compete with the Armed Forces in the execution of their individual state tasks nationwide then naturally the intensity of the role of ABRI will diminish."
There are nine principles to the Armed Forces' dual function. Principle No. 5 states that participation in active executive government activities is done only in the framework of stabilization and dynamism; and principle No. 9 says that as long as other people (civilians) can do it properly let them do it. So give civilians the chance and opportunity.
On this very sensitive political topic, we have heard no comments so far from Armed Forces high officials. Perhaps their opinion, personal or official, can help to bring some light to this issue.
SOEGIH ARTO
Jakarta