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