ABRI must return to basics

ABRI must return to basics

From Sinar Pagi

It seems a long way still before the expectations and the
wishes of the community that the Armed Forces (ABRI) should be
treated more proportionally can be properly fulfilled. A decree
of the People's Consultative Assembly (MPR) has recently even
confirmed the presence of ABRI members in the MPR and also in the
House of People's Representatives (DPR).

Given the fact that the ABRI community is only a "minority"
among some 200 million people making up the civilian community,
it is highly inappropriate to continue granting privileges to
ABRI. Such privileges should now be history. ABRI members of the
1945 generation do have the right to enjoy this privilege because
they were really involved in the struggle against the colonial
rule.

However, post-1945 ABRI members should no longer be granted
special treatment, such as direct appointment as legislators in
the DPR or appointment to various political positions which
should otherwise go to civilians. ABRI has gone too far beyond
the limit of tolerance.

Not only does ABRI have to reduce its socio-political role,
but it also has to leave the business arena. ABRI must side with
the people in, for example, land appropriation cases and also in
many other cases involving the interests of a lot of people. In
land cases, for example, ABRI has usually sided with big
businessmen,indigenous and non-indigenous. Many strategic plots
of land owned by ABRI have changed hands and now belong to big
businessmen.

The plot of land in Tanah Abang Bukit, owned formerly by the
air force, now belongs to a group of businessmen. Likewise, a
plot of land in Glodok, which used to belong to the police, now
belongs to certain private circles. The plot of land on which
Jatinegara Plaza now stands in East Jakarta formerly belonged to
the army. And another plot of land in Pancoran, formerly owned by
the air force headquarters, is now controlled privately. Last but
not least, the land where the Jakarta Police are now
headquartered will soon change hands too.

If ABRI cannot maintain control over its own assets, how can
it be expected to protect the people's "motherland" against
colonialism and land speculators as was the case in Kedung Ombo?

ABRI (particularly its officers) seems to enjoy special
treatment in this republic. In fact, civilian people shed blood
to fight for the Republic of Indonesia. Truthfully, there is
nothing special which can warrant the extension of privileges to
ABRI. Is ABRI entitled to privileges simply because it carries
arms? However, this does not seem to be a logical reason.

If arms are the criterion, then some civilian experts in
weapon-making deserve special treatment from this republic much
more so than ABRI.

The granting of privileges to ABRI can only arouse envy on the
part of civilians and will only make ABRI more and more alien to
the conscience of the people. Therefore, ABRI should now return
to the fold of the people.

MUHAMMAD UMAR ALKATIRI

Jakarta