ABRI and democratization

ABRI and democratization

It is heartening to hear the affirmative remarks made by Armed
Forces Chief Gen. Feisal Tanjung concerning the Armed Forces's
(ABRI) stance in support of democratization and improving
people's welfare.

From the beginning, ABRI's dual function doctrine, which is
aimed at ensuring both security and welfare at the same time, has
been directed toward a faithful and consistent implementation of
our constitution. Like ABRI, the Indonesian people also regard
our constitution as one that ensures that sovereignty is in the
hands of the people -- which is to say that it is a democratic
constitution. Therefore, any social-political development which
may be regarded as part of our democratization process, must be a
legitimate part of our passage toward a faithful and consistent
implementation of our constitution -- a goal which the Armed
Forces has set itself to achieve.

At the time of the transfer of the post of Chief of Staff of
the Army from Gen. Hartono to Gen. Wiranto, Armed Forces Chief
Gen. Feisal Tanjung expressed ABRI's commitment to support our
efforts at democratization. He also said that within ABRI itself,
democracy, in the sense that differences of opinion are
legitimate, is valued and respected. This was demonstrated by the
presence of senior officers who, so far, are not always in
agreement about the manner in which ABRI is realizing its
commitment to support the democratization process.

We hope that the resolve and the message conveyed during that
ceremony will be followed up with concrete action by the Army and
ABRI leadership to promote the process of democratization.

-- Republika, Jakarta