ABRI does what people desire: Legislator
JAKARTA (JP): "Politics and the Armed Forces in Indonesia are so close while in many other countries the two are separated. Is Indonesia's Armed Forces' involvement in politics regulated in the politics of (state ideology) Pancasila?"
The question was posed by Bottaza from Turkey, one of 66 foreign students invited to a meeting with members of the House of Representatives Commission IX for culture and education. The meeting was presided over by Muhammad Affandi of the Armed Forces (ABRI) faction.
Sadiman, also from ABRI's faction, responded to Bottaza's observation by saying that ABRI's involvement in politics is something that has been determined by national consensus.
"Its involvement has long been national consensus, at least for the past 36 years," he said. "ABRI acts on the behalf of the people and not the government. It will do whatever the people desire."
He said that the presence of ABRI representatives in the House is stipulated in Law No. 2/1985. He said ABRI members in the House are appointed, and not elected through general elections like members from the three political contestants: the ruling Golkar, the Moslem-based United Development Party (PPP) and the nationalist Indonesian Democratic Party (PDI).
"The number of the Armed Forces faction representatives will be reduced from 100 to 75 in the upcoming election," Sadiman was quoted by Antara as saying.
The 66 foreign exchange students come from various countries, including the United States, Australia, Hungary, Japan, Korea and Turkey. They are currently enrolled in the University of Indonesia's School of Letters.
According to Muhammad Affandi, Indonesia's youths are more rational in facing the challenges of globalization. Muhammad, however, did not specify any particular method or challenge.
A student from Poland, whom Antara identified as Carolina, questioned why the University of Indonesia has only a Javanese language and literature program when there are many other native languages and dialects in Indonesia.
Muhammad answered by saying that currently there are only experts in Javanese literature. "We hope, however, to soon establish programs for the study of other native languages," Muhammad said. (14)