ABRI asked to be tough on troublemakers during polls
ABRI asked to be tough on troublemakers during polls
JAKARTA (JP): The President has instructed ABRI (Armed Forces)
to take stern measures against those who try to break the rules
in the implementation of the general election next year.
Speaking before participants of the recent two-day ABRI
leadership meeting at a ceremony which took place at the State
Palace yesterday the President also told the military leaders to
protect those who deserve protection at the polls.
The ABRI leadership meeting, which discussed next year's
general election and the sessions of the People's Consultative
Assembly in 1998, was closed on Wednesday.
"The most important thing is that all the voters can exercise
their democratic rights in peaceful conditions," Soeharto said.
Providing security for the general election means assuring the
implementation of the poll in a peaceful and orderly manner, he
said.
Besides speaking about the importance of the general election
Soeharto, who is also ABRI's supreme commander, also instructed
the generals to keep the meeting of the People's Consultative
Assembly safe.
"The gathering is important," he said, "because the Assembly
members will decide the guiding principles for the nation before
it enters the 21st century."
The Assembly, which also has members of the House of
Representatives among its members, meets every five year to elect
a national president and vice-president and decide the guidelines
of state policy for the next five years.
The President said that ABRI had the obligation to prevent the
emergence of any elements which may disturb national unity.
"On the other hand, as a socio-political force, ABRI must help
open the chances for the people to express their ideas and
channel their creativity," he said.
Soeharto said in the efforts to improve its military tasks
ABRI leaders should train all members professionally and see to
it that no-one deviates from established procedures.
Reports said that last year several military officers were
jailed by military tribunals for violating procedure which
resulted in the death of three villagers in Irian Jaya and six
captives in East Timor.
"ABRI members should also keep up their study of military law
and the value of human rights," he said. "Human rights are in
fact nothing new to the Indonesian Armed Forces," Soeharto added.
Before Soeharto delivered his speech, ABRI Commander Gen.
Feisal Tanjung reported to the head of state that "security is
under control, and military operations against armed gangs in
East Timor, Irian Jaya and Aceh have been successful." (tis)