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