ABRI does what people desire: Legislator

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)