ABRI and students relations dominated by distrust

ABRI and students relations dominated by distrust

SURABAYA (JP): The relationship between the military and
students is currently marked by distrust and animosity.

This situation is caused by the sluggish democratization, a
discussion entitled "The Military, Students and the Problems of
Democracy" concluded.

In the early years of the New Order administration, in the
mid-1960s, the Armed Forces (ABRI) and students had a good
relationship. The two had a similar commitment to democracy and
were instrumental in toppling the old regime.

The honeymoon, however, did not last long and now the two no
longer hold a similar view, was observed during the discussion,
held at a Surabaya University on Tuesday.

"The two used to help each other in fighting for people's
aspirations. They had similar commitment to democracy and
freedom," said Priyatmoko, a lecturer at Airlangga University's
School of Social and Political Sciences.

"Now that the power (of the military) has grown, the two view
each other with distrust and animosity," he said. "Students want
the Armed Forces' security approach to be abandoned, while the
military see current student movements as a threat to national
stability."

Priyatmoko blamed society for its fear of differences and for
lack of communication, which he named "an absolute for
democracy". "The military use of security approach aggravates the
poor relationship," he said.

The other speakers in the discussion were Riswandha Imawan,
political scientist at the Yogyakarta-based Gadjah Mada
University, Maj. Gen. Syamsul Huda, from the Institute of
National Resilience, a military think-tank, and Edy Faishal
Muttaqin, a student activist.

Edy endorsed Priyatmoko's statement, saying the ABRI have not
been fair in dealing with student movements.

"It took the military four months of 'persuasive approach'
before finally launching an operation to free the hostages held
by the rebel Free Papua Movement in Irian Jaya," he said. "But
the Armed Forces took an excessively harsh action against the
student demonstration in Ujungpandang, South Sulawesi."

Three students died in April when students protested against
minibus fare increase. The military forced their way into
campuses and chased students with rattan sticks, injuring a
number of them.

Riswandha blamed the poor relationship between the ABRI and
the students on the lack of access to accurate information and
absence of venues through which the students can express their
opinions.

He also blamed it on the lack of public discourses which are
free from government intervention, and the "fair rotation of
power".

Syamsul agreed about the need for a dialog to improve the
relationship between the Armed Forces and the students. "With the
help of discussions we can examine issues which may endanger
national stability and unity," he said. (15/swe)