ABRI lends full support to govt
JAKARTA (JP): In an unequivocal show of support for the government, Armed Forces (ABRI) commander Gen. Feisal Tanjung said yesterday the military fully supported the steps being taken to solve the monetary crisis.
In a 10-point written daily instruction issued in conjunction with the New Year, the Armed Forces commander expressed support for the policies and a desire to help ensure they succeeded.
In the instructions, disclosed to journalists by ABRI spokesman Brig. Gen. A. Wahab Mokodongan, Feisal said all efforts should be aimed at regaining the country's self confidence.
Point two stressed the need to help minimize Armed Forces spending. Feisal called for stricter controls to avoid unnecessary expenditure, while maintaining efficiency and effectivity.
Point three of the orders focused on the political climate. The Armed Forces commander called for the creation of a cool, healthy and conducive political climate.
He further called on ABRI members to uphold political stability and maintain security and order, which are vital for a sustainable national development program.
In terms of preserving the nation, Feisal suggested strong ABRI-public cooperation with the active participation of the public in preventing threats to national security and public order disturbances.
He called on ABRI members to take firm action to halt the spread of malicious and false information.
The "daily orders" of the Armed Forces commander is issued randomly, usually in conjunction with major events or a change in a military leadership post.
Secure
Mokodongan also said yesterday that the Armed Forces was ready to secure the People's Consultative Assembly's general assembly in March at which the country's president and vice president will be elected.
"ABRI has made all the necessary preparations to anticipate even the worst situation," he told reporters during a media briefing.
Wahab said the Armed Forces was also extremely happy to see many of its members being touted as candidates for the vice presidency.
"We're really proud that people still trust our members for state leadership positions," he told reporters.
As of yesterday, 13 names had been registered as vice presidential candidates at the assembly.
Six have a military background: incumbent Try Sutrisno, Minister of Defense and Security Gen. (ret) Edi Sudradjat, Minister of Information Gen. (ret) R. Hartono, State Minister of National Development Planning Vice Marshall (ret) Ginandjar Kartasasmita, Armed Forces Chief. Gen. Feisal Tanjung, and Army Chief of Staff Gen. Wiranto.
Wahab, however, declined to mention the Armed Forces' candidates for the presidency and vice presidency.
"ABRI will declare its presidential and vice presidential candidates in time," he said, "Otherwise, other MPR factions will not have the courage to mention any names other than ours."
"The presidential and vice presidential election will not be democratic anymore if other factions do not have the courage to nominate different names," he said.
Wahab said that the armed forces would only come up with one name for each position.
He also said that the most important thing was not the number of candidates, but the nation's commitment to accept whoever is elected as president and vice president next March.
The armed forces headquarters also announced yesterday the promotion of 17 officers.
The most senior officer promoted was T.P. Sihombing, currently deputy chief of the Armed Forces Intelligence Agency (BIA), who was promoted from a one-star to a two-star general.
The other 16 were promoted from colonels to one-star generals.
Five of the officers are from the Army, four from the Navy, seven others from the Air Force and the remaining one from the National Police headquarters.
Other promoted officers included Army spokesman Brig. Gen. I Dewa Putu Rai and the deputy chief of the Navy's Sea Military Operations, Commodore Fred. S. Lonan. (imn)
Layoffs -- Page 2