ABRI image on decline: Scholars

ABRI image on decline: Scholars

JAKARTA (JP): Armed Forces favoritism of the wealthy will
worsen social problems unless the government repositions the army
as the guardian of all citizens, intellectuals warned yesterday.

Riswandha Imawan and Achmad Noor urged the Armed Forces (ABRI)
to improve its image by servicing every citizen equally
regardless of their social status.

The academics were commenting on a statement made this week by
Minister of Security and Defense Gen. (ret) Edi Sudrajat that
ABRI is losing respect because it is "favors the rich".

Edi also acknowledged that some wealthy people have bragged
that they can "use" ABRI personnel to protect their business
interests.

The minister, who made the remarks in a conference organized
by Bakom -- a government-sponsored agency to facilitate the
social integration of minority groups, also put part of the blame
on banks for favoring wealthy businessmen of Chinese descent when
issuing credit.

"The minister's statements were correct and accurate. ABRI now
should look inwards," said Riswandha, a teacher of socio-
political science at Yogyakarta's Gadjah Mada University.

Riswandha said that Edi's statement should serve as a reminder
that the biggest danger facing the multi-ethnic and multi-
religion Indonesia is conflict among the groups, which could lead
to disintegration.

The problem is especially acute in a country where the
distribution of wealth is so uneven.

"If ABRI members guard the (state-owned) electricity company
compounds or an oil refinery, it is acceptable because the
facilities are vital to the public.

"But it would be questionable if they guarded privately-owned
glass or textile plants," Riswandha said. He added that the
latter example has led the public to believe that ABRI is moving
away from the poor masses.

Meanwhile, Achmad Noor said the fact that a senior government
official has publicly acknowledged signs of the public's distrust
of ABRI indicates the gravity of the matter.

"ABRI, the government and the public should take the necessary
actions to safeguard the unity that the nation has painstakingly
built over decades," he said.

He stressed the need for the government to improve the welfare
of ABRI personnel so that they would not be tempted to kowtow to
wealthy businessmen.

It will take decent remuneration for ABRI personnel to uphold
discipline, he said.

Also yesterday, the Indonesian Legal Aid Foundation said that
the public's perception of ABRI is formed by what they see around
them everyday.

The foundation's executive director, Mulyana W. Kusumah, said
that ABRI started backing businesses many years ago when wealthy
businesses asked for "security" for their assets.

He said they turned to ABRI members for their real physical
power.

At the beginning, their collaboration did not raise any
feathers but now, Mulyana said, they could destabilize the
nation.

"Edi Sudrajat's statement should serve as a reference for ABRI
policymakers," he said.

Edi's statement has received responses from all quarters, with
the House of Representatives urging ABRI to put its own house in
order. (har/pan)