ABRI and mass organizations

ABRI and mass organizations

The explanation by chief spokesman of the Armed Forces (ABRI) Brig. Gen. Suwarno Adiwijoyo about the birth of several new mass institutions bearing the names of former organizations, deserves attention.

As reported by this newspaper, the information chief said ABRI was greeting the birth of organizations with names such as New PNI, New Parkindo and New Masyumi with an open mind.

"The important thing is that those new organizations are useful and constitutional," Brig. Gen. Suwarno said.

We view the emergence of new mass organizations -- whether or not they bear the names of formerly existing ones -- as an indication of the need for new institutions to represent the people's aspirations.

Some of their proponents have stated that the new organizations which they helped to establish were intended to push the nation towards progress. They have stated their commitment to forge those organizations into vehicles that increase the channels for the expression of the people's aspirations in a constitutional manner.

It is worth noting that one of the criteria of a modern state is the existence of a diversity of social and political organizations. When this criteria is applied, the emergence of new organizations constitutes a gain which could have a beneficial effect on this nation's diversity.

Viewed in the context of domestic conditions, the great number of new organizations that have appeared can be seen as a positive expression of the freedom of assembly and association which is guaranteed by the Constitution.

-- Jawa Pos, Surabaya