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)