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)